Tonkawa school board members Monday voted to submit a $925,000 bond issue to district voters Sept. 10, 2019, in a special election.
The new bonds will be used to update security/camera equipment at both the midhi/high school and grade school as well as add three classrooms and restroom facilities on the north end of the growing grade school.
The Tonkawa Public School district’s net assessed valuation has continued to grow -- to $39,371,932 for 2018-19, compared to $30,980.699 a year ago and $19,802,097 five years ago.
That means the tax increase for the bond issue will be minimal. It will be a six-year issue and will include $100,000 for the camera security at both sites and the remaining $825,000 for the classrooms at the grade school.
If the issue passes, the average tax payer will pay an average of $1.87 per month on every $1,000 of net assessed valuation or a 2.25% increase.
The school’s millage requirements are now 59.61 and in 2020-21 with passage of the new issue would increase to 61.65.
The recommendation for the new bond issue came from Superintendent Lori Simpson.
It passed unanimously with Cara Beth Johnson, Jerry Hook and Nancy Appleman present. Casey McAninch and Mary Allan were absent at the Monday noon special meeting.
Principals Kyle Simpson and Kelly Martin were also present.
In other action, board members:
-- Voted to employ Stephen H. McDonald and Associates, Inc. as financial consultants to the school district for the bond election.
-- Approved remaining 2018-19 bills totalling $14,679.53 with $14,598.89 from the general fund, $78 from the building fund and $2.64 from the child nutrition fund.
-- Approved 2019-2020 bills totalling $774,714.79 with $375,878.55 from the general fund, $148,243.24 from the building fund and $250,593 from the child nutrition fund.
-- Approved the appointment of Sarah Machia as minutes clerk/encumbrance clerk and Jona Cantrell as treasurer/activity fund custodian for the new school year.
-- Approved Lori Simpson as purchasing agent and authorized representative for all federal programs for the new school year.
-- Renewed the sublease agreement with the Kay County Public Buildings authority for the new fiscal year.
-- Approved the certificate and municipal order and depositories for the new fiscal year.
-- Approved entering into a cooperative agreement with Blackwell public schools as part of the Title III consortium for the new school year which also includes Pioneer, Alva, Fairview and Newkirk.
-- Approved a contract for teacher evaluation software from OKTLE for the new school year.
-- Approved a contract for ...
