Blanchard Schools

Blanchard Patrons to Vote on School Infrastructure Proposal on April 1, 2025

On April 1, 2025, the Blanchard community will have the opportunity to vote on a restructured school infrastructure proposal designed to address the pressing needs of our highly successful school district. Recognizing past challenges, this proposal has been carefully revised to reflect a more focused and cost-effective approach.

Unlike previous elections, which requested between $65 million and $70 million through a single ballot measure, the upcoming election presents a reduced funding request of $42,255,000. Additionally, the proposal has been divided into three distinct ballot questions, providing patrons with greater flexibility and choice in determining the district’s priorities.

Proposed Ballot Measures

Question 1 – Additional High School Classrooms with Safe Room / Auxiliary Gymnasium and Technology needs ($19,035,000)
This measure seeks funding for eight new high school classrooms and an auxiliary gymnasium that will also serve as a FEMA-compliant safe room. This addition will address enrollment growth, enhance educational opportunities, and prioritize student safety.

Question 2 – Fieldhouse with Athletic Training Room/Classroom ($11,610,000)
This proposal includes constructing a modern fieldhouse equipped with an athletic training room and classroom space to support the district’s athletic programs, ensuring student-athletes have access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Question 3 – Relocation of Varsity Baseball and Softball Programs ($11,610,000)
This measure proposes relocating the varsity baseball and softball facilities to the current high school property, streamlining athletic operations and increasing accessibility for students, staff, and families.  Relocating these facilities enhances the safety and quality of the educational experience for our students by maintaining proximity to the existing high school.

Funding Partnerships and Cost Mitigation

To help offset the cost to patrons, Blanchard Public Schools has a pledge with a generous contribution of $5,750,000 from Mardis Ventures and the Development Team at the Indian Ridge Development. Additionally, the district has allocated $1,000,000 from Red Bud funding to further reduce the financial impact.

This proposal reflects the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, community engagement, and delivering high-quality facilities that meet the needs of our students and staff. We encourage all Blanchard patrons to participate in this important vote and help shape the future of our school district.

If all three ballot measures are approved, the funding initiative will extend over an 11-year period with no projected increase in the current tax rate.

Additional High School Classrooms with Safe Room / Auxiliary Gymnasium and Technology Needs ($19,035,000)

• This proposal seeks funding for the construction of eight additional high school classrooms.  These enhancements are designed to accommodate increasing enrollment, expand educational opportunities, and prioritize student safety.  When the current high school was constructed in 2010, it served approximately 450 students. Today, enrollment has risen to 775 and continues to grow, necessitating additional instructional space.

• Additionally, the proposal includes the construction of an auxiliary gymnasium that will function as a FEMA-compliant safe room in the event of severe weather. The existing high school lacks an adequate safe space to protect students and staff during emergencies. The new gymnasium will be designed to accommodate the entire high school student body, faculty, and staff.

• Furthermore, this measure includes the establishment of a five-year technology fund to support ongoing advancements in educational resources and infrastructure.

Unlike previous funding requests, this measure has been separated from other district needs to ensure focused attention on the critical necessity of additional classrooms. Recognizing the importance of proactive planning, we believe this approach best serves the long-term interests of our students and community.

Fieldhouse with Athletic Training Room/Classroom ($11,610,000)

This proposal outlines the construction of a state-of-the-art fieldhouse designed to support the district’s growing athletic programs by providing student-athletes with high-quality facilities for training, rehabilitation, and academic instruction. The new facility will include a fully equipped athletic training room, offering student-athletes access to essential resources for injury prevention, treatment, and strength conditioning. Additionally, dedicated classroom space will enhance the educational component of athletic programs by providing areas for athletic training instruction.

Recognizing the importance of financial responsibility and reducing the burden on taxpayers, the cost of this facility is being significantly offset through alternative funding sources. The district has received a pledge of a generous donation of $2,875,000 from Mardis Ventures and the Development Team at Indian Ridge Development. This contribution demonstrates a strong partnership between the community and local developers in supporting the needs of our students.

In addition to this private donation, the district is allocating $500,000 from Red Bud funding, a state-provided resource designed to assist school districts in maintaining and improving their infrastructure. By leveraging these funds, the district is ensuring that this essential facility can be developed in a fiscally responsible manner while continuing to provide students with top-tier opportunities.

The construction of this modern fieldhouse reflects the district’s commitment to fostering a comprehensive student experience, balancing academic excellence with athletic achievement. This facility will not only benefit current students but will also support future growth, ensuring that the district remains well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of its student-athletes for years to come.

Relocation of Varsity Baseball and Softball Programs ($11,610,000)

This measure seeks to relocate the varsity baseball and softball facilities to the current high school property, creating a more centralized and accessible athletic complex for students, staff, and families. By moving these facilities closer to the high school, the district aims to streamline athletic operations, improve logistical efficiency, and enhance the overall experience for student-athletes and spectators alike.

The relocation of these facilities will provide numerous benefits, including increased safety for students by reducing the need for off-campus travel, improved access to resources such as training and medical support, and a stronger sense of school community by consolidating athletic activities within the high school campus. Additionally, housing these facilities on-site will allow for more seamless coordination between academic and athletic schedules, ensuring that student-athletes can maximize their time both in the classroom and on the field.

To help mitigate the financial impact of this project, the district has received a pledge of a generous donation of $2,875,000 from Mardis Ventures and the Development Team at Indian Ridge Development. This significant contribution underscores the commitment of local partners in supporting the educational and extracurricular needs of our students.

In addition to this private donation, the district is allocating $500,000 from Red Bud funding, a state-provided resource designed to assist school districts in addressing infrastructure needs. By utilizing these alternative funding sources, the district is taking a fiscally responsible approach to this project, ensuring that students have access to top-tier athletic facilities while minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers.

This investment reflects the district’s dedication to providing high-quality educational and extracurricular experiences for students. By relocating the baseball and softball facilities to the high school property, the district is reinforcing its commitment to student safety, operational efficiency, and long-term planning to meet the evolving needs of the school community.

Total Monetary Proposal and Impact on Property Owners

The total monetary proposal for this bond issue is $42,255,000, a strategic investment aimed at enhancing the district’s educational and athletic infrastructure to better serve our growing student population. This proposal has been carefully structured to ensure that property owners will experience no increase in their current tax rate, with the commitment to maintaining the existing rate for a period of eleven years.

This financial projection is based on a conservative annual growth estimate of 6% in the school district’s total property valuation. Historically, the district has experienced an average annual increase of 8.5% over the past ten years, demonstrating strong and consistent economic growth within our community. By utilizing a cautious 6% growth assumption, the district has taken a fiscally responsible approach to ensure the stability of tax rates while securing the necessary funding for these critical projects.

This approach provides reassurance to taxpayers that their financial obligations will remain predictable, even as the district continues to expand and improve its facilities. The combination of responsible forecasting and prudent financial planning underscores the district’s commitment to meeting the needs of students while minimizing the financial impact on the community.

By approving this bond proposal, property owners are supporting long-term investments in education and infrastructure without experiencing an increase in their tax rate, ensuring that our schools remain well-equipped to serve current and future generations of students.

How Is the School District Utilizing Alternative Funding Sources to Reduce the Burden on Property Owners?

Monetary Donation

Significant development is currently underway southwest of town, including a new state-of-the-art golf course, residential housing, and a commercial district. To help mitigate the financial burden on local taxpayers associated with constructing new facilities to accommodate increasing student enrollment, the district has received a pledge of a generous donation from Mardis Ventures and the Development Team at Indian Ridge Development.

This donation will be allocated to offset the costs of constructing a new athletic fieldhouse and relocating the baseball and softball facilities to the high school campus. Specifically, $2,875,000 will be designated for the athletic fieldhouse, while an additional $2,875,000 will fund the relocation of the baseball and softball facilities.

If either question #2 or #3 does not pass, the school board will decide where to best allocate the gift funds.

Red Bud Funds

To support districts receiving less than the average per-student allocation in the building fund, the state has implemented equalization funding, commonly known as Red Bud Funds. These funds are designed to ease financial disparities among school districts. Our district is utilizing $500,000 per project to further reduce costs.

Impact on Taxpayers

In previous bond proposals, the total funding request ranged between $65 million and $70 million. However, through the use of alternative funding sources and the retirement of existing district debt, the financial burden on taxpayers has been significantly reduced. If all three proposed measures are approved, the total funding request will be $42,255,000, with repayment structured over an 11-year period.

Additional Questions? 

Contact Brady Barnes, Superintendent, Blanchard Schools at: bbarnes@blanchard.k12.ok.us