Bray-Doyle voters to consider proposed $7.1 million school bond

by Toni Hopper
The impact to land taxes if the bond is approved by voters.
Click for more images

"Investing in our children's education is an investment in our community's future. A strong and well -funded elementary school sets the foundation for a lifetime of learning and success." - Bray-Doyle Public School Superintendent David Eads

A $7.1 million bond will go before the voters of the Bray-Doyle Public School District, on Feb. 14. This bond is for improvements at the elementary campus, and includes a tornado safe room and a new elementary wing and canopy entrance. The classrooms will be for Pre-K and a library. In the far eastern section of the new wing, there also will be space for speech pathology. The current pre-K was an old house, at least more than 20 years old, that had been added on and remodeled. B-D Superintendent David Eads said it's time for a new wing that will have the necessary safety measures and upgrades needed.

Eads wants taxpayers to know what they can expect if the bond passes. "If you use $500 dollars as the average amount of land taxes paid each year, you will see the

$60.60 increase," he told The Review. That is for the annual increase on $500. The tornado safe room will stand higher than the overall school, which is a structural engineer requirement and is rated as an F-5 shelter.

In March 2015, the B-D school board awarded bids for a $2.36 million general obligation building bond that was for the high school, technology and a remodel of both gymnasiums. The 2015 bond drops off the rolls in two years. This proposed $7.1 million bond continues improving the overall school campus and safety factor for the students and staff. Eads said that while building materials have tripled in the last few years and considering today's economy, he still feels confident that the bond will pass.

Please refer to the images Eads has supplied that accompany this article.

*Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 9 for voters in several Stephens county school districts:

Bray-Doyle, Comanche, Empire and Velma-Alma. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, and

Friday, Feb. 10. County Election Board is located at 1075 W. Elm Ave. in Duncan.