Edmond Public Schools proposed two bond ideas to Edmond voters for the upcoming election this month. The purpose of a bond is to raise funds to improve existing infrastructure, build new schools, or update technology. One of the proposed bonds is worth around $136 million, while the other is $3.6 million, for a total cost of around $140 million. The day to vote on the EPS bond proposals is Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The first bond helps fund the construction of Post Oak Elementary School and Horizon Middle School, as well as completing the construction of the new Santa Fe High School Freshman Academy, to adjust for the predicted rapid growth of Edmond. While these are the main targets of the bond, it would also fund renovations and improvements of existing school buildings throughout Edmond, including new textbooks, technology and classroom furniture.
The second bond would focus on the purchase of new school and activity buses, as EPS is currently facing a shortage of buses and bus drivers.
To pass both bonds, EPS would need to receive at least 60% of all Edmond votes. Although previous EPS bond proposals have typically received positive feedback, such as the bond proposal for the Post Oak and Horizon schools in February 2024, which received 80% of Edmond votes, the last bond that was proposed in November 2024 was the Edmond on the GO bond, which was meant to improve Edmond roads, parks and fire stations, and was rejected.
Without the funds from these bonds, projects are delayed, or funds would be taken from the General Fund, therefore making proposed projects such as the new schools and improvements to the current Edmond schools harder to achieve. Those who plan to vote in the upcoming bond election can check the Oklahoma Voter Portal to find their nearest polling place.
Contact Erin Hamm at [email protected]
