Stillwater bond issue spotlights education
Friday, February 4, 2011
Burns Hargis- NewsPress Column, February 2011
One of the biggest challenges facing educators at any level is providing the facilities and tools to create the best learning environment possible. A classroom experience that challenges and inspires students to do their best. Simply put, that is what our local school bond issue is all about.
At Oklahoma State University, we have been fortunate the last five years to significantly upgrade our facilities for academics and athletics. These many improvements have allowed us to attract quality students, faculty, administrators and staff, as well as made us more competitive in academics, research and athletics. Our new and renovated facilities are elevating what we do at OSU.
Whether it is Oklahoma State University or Stillwater Public Schools, educators have an obligation to provide facilities and tools that enhance learning. Stillwater Public Schools, led by Superintendent Ann Caine, does a wonderful job with the facilities and resources it has. It produces some of the state’s best students and we are proud a third of the 361 members of the 2010 Stillwater High School graduating class elected OSU for their higher education degree.
Each of us as citizens has an obligation to support the education of our young people and Stillwater can be pleased with what we have today. But we can’t stand still. The future success of our community and state depends on an educated and skilled citizenry. We have a duty today to help shape that future.
The quality of our local schools is a big factor in Oklahoma State University’s ability to recruit and retain faculty and staff members. For anyone moving to Stillwater with children or plans for children have local schools near the top of their priority list.
OSU is competing with other universities across the country to hire employees and they are seeking a community that is focused on student achievement and success, and committed to educational excellence. Newer facilities such as Stillwater High School and Skyline Elementary offer a favorable picture. Older facilities leave the opposite impression, implying a lower quality of education and a community unwilling to invest in education.
Much has been written about the bond improvements. It is best to focus on results. Funds will replace the city’s two smallest and oldest elementary schools, Highland Park and Will Rogers; renovate the city’s other eight schools; and purchase textbooks, technology, musical instruments, equipment, buses, and other essentials.
The bond issue addresses overcrowding at the elementary and secondary level; increases elementary capacity by 300 to 400 students to accommodate years of Stillwater growth; brings facilities up to the highest educational and community standards; promotes academic excellence via modern learning environments, the best tools, and the latest technologies; and improves student safety, security, and accessibility district-wide.
The benefits, of course, extend far beyond Stillwater Public Schools and touch everyone across the community. The improvements will promote continued community growth and economic stability, sustain vital Stillwater neighborhoods with local schools, improve recruitment of new businesses and employees, promote job growth, increase property values, and improve Stillwater’s quality of life and community spirit.
When education benefits, we all benefit.