With a new school year around the corner for Chisholm, Okla., Public Schools comes the need for expansion of the district.
"We have experienced a considerable amount of growth over the past couple of years. This growth has made it necessary to propose the addition of facilities at all three sites in our district," Chisholm Public Schools Superintendent Roydon Tilley said.
A bond issue, for a total cost of $19.99 million for the new additions, will be on the ballot Sept. 12.
Proposed new facilities at Chisholm Elementary School are nine classrooms and a storm shelter. For Chisholm Middle School, seven classrooms and a storm shelter are being proposed. Chisholm High School would have four new classrooms, a band room, storm shelter and multi-sports dressing facility with a team meeting room if the bond passes.
Tilley said they're also proposing to purchase seven buses, two Suburbans and a truck to accommodate the agriculture science program.
"We are very excited about the growth that Chisholm Public Schools is experiencing," Tilley said. "Our staff is more than capable of meeting the challenges associated with increased enrollment."
He said they've hired additional staff members to accommodate the enrollment growth, and are pursuing a one-to-one technology initiative. A committee is developing a plan and funding sources for the initiative.
Enrollment in the district was up about 100 students last year over the previous year, and is expected to increase again this fall, Tilley said.
Crystal Szymanski, principal at Chisholm Middle School, said the school has had to make changes to accommodate for the growth.
"We adjusted some last year for the increased enrollment," Szymanski said, "and we've adjusted more this year with the expectation that enrollment will continue to increase."
Szymanski said a portable classroom was added to the middle school last year to accommodate one language arts class. This summer an additional portable building with two classrooms was added. The building will house one language arts and one geography class this school year.
With enrollment beginning to surpass the capacity of the middle school building, Szymanski said the portable classrooms were the only feasible option.
"Right now our building is full, and as classroom enrollment continues to increase, the portable buildings will be the direction we have to go," Szymanski said.
The one thing that could change that, and give the district room to grow, would be passage of the pending bond issue election in September, she said.
"Hopefully, the bond issue will pass," Szymanski said. "That will be really important for the future of our district."
Right now, Chisholm Public Schools has a variety of extracurricular activities for students to become involved in when school starts up again.
The elementary school offers a robotics team, and the middle school has a drama club, honor society, student council and scholastic team. The high school has National Honor Society, student council, scholastic team and yearbook.
Additionally, there is FFA, band, a builder's club, Spanish club and art.
Athletics opportunities for the school district include football, baseball, softball, basketball, golf, cheerleading, volleyball, cross country, tennis, track and power weightlifting.
The 2017-18 school year begins for the elementary, middle and high schools on Aug. 16.
