"This bond issue is about the vision for our school." That was the subject Monday from Henryetta school superintendent Dwayne Noble to members of the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce.
Noble explained the bond issue that would add two new buildings to the campus and provide a new Science, Engineering, Math and Technology (STEM) offering for the students.
"The best schools are going this way and Henryetta deserves the best," he said.
"I've got an eighth grader who would like to be an engineer," said chamber board member Donnie Smith. She has to go to summer camp to learn this. STEM is not a luxury, it is a necessity today."
Nobel said when the bod issue passes, the work on the buildings will start later this year and students in all grades will start being introduced to the technology phase at the beginning of school.
He explained the teachers will be going to Oklahoma State University to be trained in the STEM program this summer.
"We received a robotics grant that is tied in with STEM for our fifth graders. In the high school, the focus will be on computer classes. This is going to be an elective. IF we get the STEP program it will help us attract and keep good teachers." He pointed out there is an opening now in the high school for a science teacher that the school has bee unable to fill, partially because of the older equipment.
Once the STEM building is constructed, there would be three classrooms, two science labs and two computer labs for the students. The building would also enable students to use it three nights a week for internet access if they don't have it at home.
Another aspect of the bond issue would be needed repairs to the existing school buildings.
Both grade school and high school classrooms are bothered with leaking roofs that have to be fixed. "If it doesn't pass, we will have to add more buckets," he said.
"We are looking for economic growth for Henryetta and this is going to help," Smith told the group.