School board briefs community on bonds

OISD board members and boosters held separate events last week to inform voters about the upcoming $8.3 million school bond election on May 4.

If approved, the funds would pay for campus storm shelters that will double as classrooms and augment existing shelters.

OISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Roach and school board president Summer Branum hosted an informational meeting at the Olney High School auditorium on April 11 to show community members the plans and to answer questions about the general obligation bonds.

Dr. Roach said the district will not raise taxes to repay the bonds -- OISD made room in its budget by paying off two bond issues early, he said. The plan would obligate the district to the current tax rate of 19 cents per $100 valuation for the next 22 years, he said.

The district prioritized building shelters after a 2022 tornado ravaged Jacksboro High School and a storm last year in Perryton destroyed school buildings, Mrs. Branum said.

The plan is to build a storm shelter and seven new classrooms at OJHS and a secure corridor between the band hall and Career and Technology Education Center, as well as renovations to the elementary school and the existing shelter at the daycare center, Dr. Roach said.

The Protect Our Cubs political action committee held a meeting at Hudson’s on Main later that evening. For more information on the bonds, go to www.protectourcubsolney. com.