Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendent Aurora Lora thanked voters yesterday for approving a $180 million bond issue.
"You know, it's been really wonderful. My phone was dinging all night with people just reaching out saying they're so happy for the school district,” Lora said during a news conference. “And for the teachers and students, just so that we're going to be able to address the issues that we've got, and really get focused on academics now.”
Much of the money will be used for air conditioning units, new plumbing, and other repairs to the district’s aging infrastructure. About $54 million will be spent on technology including iPads and new computers. Another $19 million will go to new buses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDQmU-0Z8ys
“This will help us take those buses that honestly, at this point, just need to be replaced and allow us to get some brand-new buses,” Lora said. “So I think it's going to be huge for the teachers, because those things are really frustrating, both for teachers and principals and students, and we want them to be focused just on teaching and learning and not having to worry about operations issues."
The new bond will not raise taxes. By passing it voters chose to extend a bond that was set to expire.
