Yes votes have 54%, but 46% no votes make the decision; School officials formulating new plan; athletics begins capital campaign
A $15 million bond issue sent to Newcastle School District voters at the special election Tuesday, August 25 was turned down by a vote of 1,559 to 1,317.
The yes votes had the 54% to 46% majority, but there was not enough for Oklahoma’s required 60% super majority for school bond issues.
Proposed items to be built if the bond had passed were an elementary schoolsaferoom/classroomaddition, an aviation classroom expansion, resurfacing and site improvements to the track and field complex, a new soccer locker room, restroom, and concessions, and parking improvements attheschooldistrict’stransportation facility. This is the second bond issue that has failed in Newcastle.
Newcastle Superintendent Dr. Cathy Walker said the school system will continue to discuss the district’s needs, and what comes next. She said as a plan is formed, they will share it with the public.
“Although the bond did not pass, the needs identified throughout this process do not go away,” Dr. Walker said. “Our schools will continue to need improvements to facilities, safety and security, transportation,
Related Letter from
NPS Board President — page 4 and other areas that directly affect our students and staff.”
She continued, “As a district, we will keep on evaluating those needs carefully and look for responsible ways to address them within the resources available to the district. We will also continue listening to our community and communicate openly about the challenges and opportunities facing Newcastle Public Schools. As our community and school district continue to grow, the need for additional bonds will increase.
“Bonds pay for capital improvement projects that directly impact students and when bonds do not pass, it hurts our kids. In the next few weeks, there will be many conversations about ‘next steps.’ I look forward to sharing the plan when it is finalized.”
Walker said, “Our commitment to Newcastle students and families remains unchanged. We will work to provide safe, supportive learning environments and meaningful opportunities for every child while being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us.”
Just one day after the bond issue did not pass, a letter from Athletic Director Jeff Brickman was released announcing a “Capital Campaign” for facilities.
Brickman states, “Newcastle is the fastest growing city in Oklahoma. We are rapidly moving through (Class) 5A towards 6A. As the athletic director, my stewardship includes making sure we have top-notch facilities for our amazing athletes.
“This is a major challenge, but as I stated at Meet the Racers night, ‘you eat an elephant one bite at a time.’ We are excited to announce a capital campaign to upgrade athletic facilities as one of the many steps we are taking to ensure the future of Racer athletics is a great one.”
Brickman also released an Athletic Upgrades QR code (provided in this story), which can be scanned and supporters are taken online to GoFan. co where they can donate and help to fund the upgrades.
The annual Newcastle Chamber of Commerce State of the Schools luncheon with Walker is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, September 17 at the Newcastle Library Community Room.
