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Most students of Shawnee High School are not yet eligible to vote in the upcoming Nov. 11 bond election that, if passed, would give them a new roof over their heads and allow them to focus on learning.
But if they could vote, most would likely pass the $3 million issue, which would allow them to receive not only the new roof — $1.87 million — but improvements to their athletic facilities — $1.13 million, as well. And to prove that point, several journalism students at SHS created a video, “Humidity up ... Morale down,” outlining why they need a new roof as soon as possible.
“I don’t think anything is more compelling than having your high school students talk about it themselves,” Marilyn Bradford, Shawnee Public Schools superintendent, said. “It paints a picture of how bad the situation really is.”
In the video, available at www.shawnee.k12.ok.us, students, faculty and staff show problems with mold, drooping tiles and insulation and damaged paint and equipment caused by leaks in the roof spread throughout the building. Many claim they have suffered illnesses caused by the mold and other conditions resulting from the leaks and humidity.
Several Greater Shawnee Chamber of Commerce members said they agree that the roof must be replaced before more serious issues occur and asked Bradford how the roof had reached such a dire state.
Bradford said the current roof, a foam style, was installed in the early 1990s and that when the 2005 bond issue passed, the high school was “still holding its own,” so those dollars were better used for addressing “a lot of renovation” issues with the elementary sites.
“It’s a flat roof and those are known to leak after a few years but the 2006 and 2007 ice storms, then droughts, plus deferred maintenance led to this,” she said. “We went with the foam roof but found that it was cheap, fast and didn’t last. And 15 years later, it has totally failed.”
Bradford said the school district has looked at several grants but “none have helped so far but that doesn’t stop us from continuing to try.”
“We hadn’t really anticipated calling this bond election at this time but really, it is an emergency now,” Bradford said.
Some areas of the high school, such as the “old 1971 area,” do tend to have more “significant leaks” and water damage than others, Bradford said.
This time around, the district will have architects look at different roofing options to try to provide a long-term roof for the 120,000 square foot building, Bradford said.
In addition to giving high schoolers a “safe and dry building, through a new roof,” the $3 million bond issue would address other key items, including restrooms, hall lights, lockers, heat and air controls in each room, and the athletic concession stand with restrooms, she said.
The cost of the issue through ad valorem taxes would equal increases for the average taxpayer in the SPS district of about seven cents per day, Bradford said.
“It is critical that we get our supporters on this,” she said, noting that to pass, the bond must have 60 percent super majority approval.
Bradford said that there is a “rich, long tradition in Shawnee ... of an urban-type setting,” but with the limited bonding capacity of the district, the most important, urgent items must be addressed first, such as the new roof at the high school.
She said with the $500,000 set aside in 2005, along with other monies saved on projects and some building funds, the track will be completed but that it has taken longer than anticipated due to some unforeseen events.
“We knew the utility poles had to be moved but then we were told they had to go underground, which is much more expensive,” Bradford said. “That knocked us for a loop. But regardless of what happens Nov. 10, the track is going forward. It will be done.”
While most chamber members agreed the roof and track are top priorities in the district, they said they believed SPS should seek more ways to generate funds for the school system, create a better level of communication, explore options with city versus county taxes and consider the limitations that occur with a traditional school year opposed to a year-round school year.
Dependent districts and the effects they have on independent districts was also a noted concern of chamber members and Bradford — but not one that cannot be addressed positively, they said.
“We need to work together and we will find that we’re more alike than we are different,” one member said.
Most students of Shawnee High School are not yet eligible to vote in the upcoming Nov. 11 bond election that, if passed, would give them a new roof over their heads and allow them to focus on learning.
But if they could vote, most would likely pass the $3 million issue, which would allow them to receive not only the new roof — $1.87 million — but improvements to their athletic facilities — $1.13 million, as well. And to prove that point, several journalism students at SHS created a video, “Humidity up ... Morale down,” outlining why they need a new roof as soon as possible.
“I don’t think anything is more compelling than having your high school students talk about it themselves,” Marilyn Bradford, Shawnee Public Schools superintendent, said. “It paints a picture of how bad the situation really is.”
In the video, available at www.shawnee.k12.ok.us, students, faculty and staff show problems with mold, drooping tiles and insulation and damaged paint and equipment caused by leaks in the roof spread throughout the building. Many claim they have suffered illnesses caused by the mold and other conditions resulting from the leaks and humidity.
Several Greater Shawnee Chamber of Commerce members said they agree that the roof must be replaced before more serious issues occur and asked Bradford how the roof had reached such a dire state.
Bradford said the current roof, a foam style, was installed in the early 1990s and that when the 2005 bond issue passed, the high school was “still holding its own,” so those dollars were better used for addressing “a lot of renovation” issues with the elementary sites.
“It’s a flat roof and those are known to leak after a few years but the 2006 and 2007 ice storms, then droughts, plus deferred maintenance led to this,” she said. “We went with the foam roof but found that it was cheap, fast and didn’t last. And 15 years later, it has totally failed.”
Bradford said the school district has looked at several grants but “none have helped so far but that doesn’t stop us from continuing to try.”
“We hadn’t really anticipated calling this bond election at this time but really, it is an emergency now,” Bradford said.
Some areas of the high school, such as the “old 1971 area,” do tend to have more “significant leaks” and water damage than others, Bradford said.
This time around, the district will have architects look at different roofing options to try to provide a long-term roof for the 120,000 square foot building, Bradford said.
In addition to giving high schoolers a “safe and dry building, through a new roof,” the $3 million bond issue would address other key items, including restrooms, hall lights, lockers, heat and air controls in each room, and the athletic concession stand with restrooms, she said.
The cost of the issue through ad valorem taxes would equal increases for the average taxpayer in the SPS district of about seven cents per day, Bradford said.
“It is critical that we get our supporters on this,” she said, noting that to pass, the bond must have 60 percent super majority approval.
Bradford said that there is a “rich, long tradition in Shawnee ... of an urban-type setting,” but with the limited bonding capacity of the district, the most important, urgent items must be addressed first, such as the new roof at the high school.
She said with the $500,000 set aside in 2005, along with other monies saved on projects and some building funds, the track will be completed but that it has taken longer than anticipated due to some unforeseen events.
“We knew the utility poles had to be moved but then we were told they had to go underground, which is much more expensive,” Bradford said. “That knocked us for a loop. But regardless of what happens Nov. 10, the track is going forward. It will be done.”
While most chamber members agreed the roof and track are top priorities in the district, they said they believed SPS should seek more ways to generate funds for the school system, create a better level of communication, explore options with city versus county taxes and consider the limitations that occur with a traditional school year opposed to a year-round school year.
Dependent districts and the effects they have on independent districts was also a noted concern of chamber members and Bradford — but not one that cannot be addressed positively, they said.
“We need to work together and we will find that we’re more alike than we are different,” one member said.
