Superintendent Andrea James led the talk going over all three issues.
She pointed out the bond issue would cover costs of repairs to the school roof, floors, HVAC system, a new marquee, school van, field house and start of a football program. That bond issue would be for a four-year period. It comes before voters Feb. 9.
That football program would see the Wilson Tigers field an eight-man team starting this next fall. James said it would help stem the loss of students going to other schools so they could play football. "We have lost almost 30 kids since 2011," she said. "I talked to the kids. There were eight or ten this year that said they were leaving to play football elsewhere."She pointed out student retention is vital since state funding depends upon the number of students in the school.
That football field, lights and bleachers is expected to cost $60,000. "I have talked with some other schools," the superintendent said, "and was told that would be about what it would cost." She said preliminary plans call for the field to be placed between the new gymnasium and library.
Staffing would be accomplished using current coaches. If successful, the Tigers would be playing on Thursday nights.
SEE VIDEO OF THE MEETING HERE
Another $30,000 of the bond revenue would be used to build a field house. James said it would be built between the baseball and softball fields and would be used by all three sports.
The remainder of the $290,000 would be spent on flooring repair: $55,000; roof repairs: $45,000; HVAC: $50,000; marquee: $20,000 and van: $30,000.
She said the bond issue is projected to increase property taxes about $5.42 per month. "Property taxes are higher everywhere but Wilson," she said.
During a question and answer session, one individual asked what would happen if the bond issue passed but the school was forced to consolidate in two years. She replied the property owners would still have to pay the higher taxes for the remainder of the bond lifetime.
Maintenance of the football field was projected to be paid for by money once the new gymnasium is paid off. That gym has two more $40,000 payments until it is paid for. "That gym has been a battle and an unpopular battle," she said. Financing came from a bond issue that paid for 25 percent of the cost with the rest paid out in a lease program. A $40,000 payment is projected to be made this month and the final payment next year.
James said the repairs to the roof, floor and HVAC system would still have to be made even if the bond issue failed. That cost would have to come out of the school's general fund.
James said the school currently is operating on a $1,966 million budget. That is down from $2.1 million two years ago and more cuts are expected in the coming months.
She told the nearly 100 people present that Oklahoma has been not funding education. "We are number one in the nation for decreased funding for education. The next one down is Texas with 10.5 percent in cuts. I have talked to two legislators, they don't seem to understand the problem." She urged those present to look at the legislators who are not backing education and not vote them back into office.
James said common education statewide took a $46 million cut and the school is expecting more cuts later this month and throughout the year."The number of kids in the school has gone up but funding continues to drop. We have more kids to educate and less money to do it."
"Early childhood is the only place we are seeing success in the state. It is one of the best things we do and they want to cut it."
She closed the evening by going over seven bills that have been introduced this year, each dealing with consolidation.
"I was told the consolidation bills won't pass but i will believe it after they don't," she said.
Those bills include: HB2824, HB3157, SB932, SB1267, SB1382 and SB1364.
"I heard a lot of bills came up because they (legislators) are jealous of the superintendents. If you are jealous, get over it. Quit playing childish games with our kids."
Some of those bills call for consolidation to start in 2017 while others could see smaller schools consolidated with larger ones by 202.
James said she is watching the progress of the bills and is, "preparing for the worst but praying for the best."
