New beginnings

Derrick Miller
The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN June 30, 2009 12:14 am

— Although each school in Duncan has a site-maintenance budget and some projects that could be done, several elementary principals are hoping they don’t have to use those funds to work on their buildings.
Instead, the plan is to use some of those funds to purchase furniture and other items that can be removed. This decision came after Superintendent Sherry Labyer informed the principals that the Duncan Board of Education had voted to start work toward a bond issue to build three new elementary buildings (kindergarten and first grade, second and third grades, and fourth and fifth grades) on a 76-acre plot of land. The goal is to have the campuses built by 2011.
Focus on the facilities was one of five pillars discussed by the principals and the school board during a meeting June 23. The other pillars were customer service and communication, student achievement, student discipline, and teamwork.
Labyer said the principals need to be cognizant of what they’re using their site-maintenance funds for because if they purchase things that can be moved, such as furniture and equipment, it will help with the soft costs for the new schools.
Mark Twain Principal JoAnn Pierce said she had talked to Labyer about getting some new blinds for her school, but Labyer explained how the board chose to quicken the idea of passing a bond to have a three-building campus for Duncan Elementary.
“I’d rather hang new blinds in a new building,” Pierce said.
She had several updates she wanted to make to Mark Twain, but was willing to do without for a couple of school years to be rewarded with new school buildings. Pierce recently purchased furniture for 18 classrooms and will be able to move the furniture to a new building.
Other elementary principals also dismissed some of the projects they had planned. Instead, many opted to focus on the bond issue.
Some still had ideas on what they wanted to accomplish at their buildings.
Woodrow Wilson Principal Bud Conway said his idea for facility improvement didn’t actually cost money. Instead, Conway said he wanted to ensure the safety of his students.
He said his main concern is that students always have to go outside when they head anywhere on the school’s campus because the classrooms open up to the outdoors.
“We are going to be more consistent on our procedures when going from place to place,” Conway said.
Horace Mann Principal Marlon Gay said schools are more inviting to the community and students when they look nice. Gay said this is one reason why the site-maintenance funds have been important to the schools.
“We want our campus to be pleasing to see and pleasant to be in,” Gay said.
Some of the recent work at Horace Mann includes painting and new carpeting in the gym.
Painting is also taking place at Plato Elementary this summer. Like many of the other schools, Plato has added Smart Boards for all of its classrooms.
Plato Principal John Millirons said another important thing is being done at the school. Because it is fairly easy to get on the roof, a chain-link fence is being installed on the roof to keep people off.
Emerson Principal Eva Spaulding said she is excited about the bond issue, which has an aim at a December election. Spaulding’s school is the one elementary school that wouldn’t be retired if the bond passes and the new elementary campus is built.
Instead, Emerson would become the new pre-kindergarten center. This is because of the massive renovations the school has undergone in recent years. The building was expanded, and the restrooms in the older part of the building are being renovated.
Will Rogers Pre-Kindergarten Principal Mona Evans has two locations (Will Rogers and Irving). The bond issue would help Evans by having the two schools come together under Emerson’s roof.
Evans said she has worked hard to make sure the two schools are doing well. Irving School was ready to open its doors for the 2008-09 school year, and all new furniture was purchased for the schools.
“Our facilities are safe and neat,” Evans said.
At the upper levels, no one will be moving. EDGE Academy will remain in the newly renovated building, which is known as the “Old Junior High.”
Duncan Middle School, which is the newest of the schools, has used its site-maintenance funds to put new carpeting in some of the classrooms. Principal Mike Toone said 16 new security cameras were also added for the 2008-09 school year.
Some of the long-term goals include adding an equipment storage building and getting Smart Board for teachers who will use them.
At Duncan High School, the bond issue would help pay for a extensive renovation to the entire campus. In recent years, the DHS library was given a major overhaul with new shelves and furniture. Basically, the library was revamped.
DHS Principal Gary Reed said there are many projects to get done during the summer. These include adding new tile to parts of the main building, upgrading the restrooms in the auditorium, tiling one of the art rooms and painting classrooms.
Reed said projects for the 2009-10 school year include correcting the wiring in the computer labs, upgrading the floor tiling in the main building and establishing an additional computer lab.
Labyer said the bond issue is important for the high school because the campus has been left relatively untouched since the 1960s, with the exception of the library.
“We can make it a great place,” she said.
Labyer said the bond issue is important for the Duncan community because it could help as Duncan’s stimulus package. She said new elementary buildings and updated buildings could bring people to the community.
But most of all, the bond could result in something of which students, teachers, parents and the community could be proud.
“Our kids deserve it,” Labyer said. “We’re forward thinking.
“We’ve done a lot of good things. We want to use the money very wisely.”

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