Broken Arrow Superintendent Pushing For New $340M School Bond

Editor's note: Earlier versions of this story quoted Broken Arrow Superintendent Jarod Mendenhall as saying the bond issue would total $350 million dollars. While that's an accurate quote of what he said during his presentation, the district says the actual amount will be $340 million.

Broken Arrow has Oklahoma's biggest high school, but the facilities aren't big enough according to its superintendent. He's trying to talk the community into a $340 million school bond.

Monday, voters got a first look at the plan that wouldn't raise taxes, but would expand Broken Arrow schools over the next twelve years.

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A surge in new families headed to Broken Arrow means 2009's record-breaking school bond wasn't big enough. A $295 million bond issue added 300 new classrooms, but B.A. is still growing.

"We've been furiously making sure that we have classrooms for our students and have an environment that's conducive to learning," said Broken Arrow Superintendent, Jarod Mendenhall.

Mendenhall kicked off his campaign to pass a $340 million bond Monday night.

Almost half of the bond would build two new elementary schools, a new middle school and expand the freshman academy and high school.

"Making sure that we stay ahead of the pace. Stay ahead of the growth that we have," Mendenhall said.

Student programs would get $90 million and the rest would go to security, technology and transportation.

Learn More About Broken Arrow Public Schools Community Forums

"A lot of growth for our students, a lot of increase in technology, space requirements that we're going to need because of the rapid growth of Broken Arrow,” said parent Derek Beller.

Parent Brittney Lam said, "I feel really good that our district is trying to make sure that we're ahead."

As for a second high school, Mendenhall said that time isn't now.

“We need to have that conversation. It would be way premature for us to make that determination before this bond issue," he said.

The superintendent also said the bond would allow for a community swimming pool and activities complex to be built at what's now North Intermediate High.

If the school board agrees, the bond could go to voters in February.