House Media Division
In an effort to keep school-aged children safe from severe storms and violent-crime situations, two state representatives are seeking to allow a one-time change to create funds to improve school safety.
House Joint Resolution 1092, filed jointly by state Reps. Jon Echols and Mark McBride, would make it possible for school districts to submit to the people of that area a ballot question that would provide funds for capital expenditures for severe weather and active-shooter safety projects. If the question passed by a three-fifths vote, the school district would be allowed to move forward with obtaining funding for the project.
“After the devastation we saw in Moore and other parts of the state due to tornadoes last spring, finding ways to create safe havens for our schoolchildren has become a top priority of mine,” said Rep. McBride, R-Moore. “Our school districts should be allowed the authority to obtain bonding funds if the voters there agree with the plan. This will allow those schools to access funds quickly and get storm and safety shelters operational as quickly as possible.”
“HJR 1092 is a simple, effective and quick way to help assist schools obtain funding they need to make their schools safer – plain and simple,” said Rep. Echols, R-Oklahoma City. “We saw last spring just how dangerous a situation our school kids are in when severe weather strikes and there’s nowhere to go for protection. Likewise, over the past two decades, our country has seen acts of violence on school campuses that are frightening and heart-breaking. Building shelters to protect students from storms and possible active-shooter situations is a top priority for us and we’re sure this possible ballot question will be of importance to Oklahomans across the state.”
Gov. Mary Fallin voices support for the resolution.
“I am the governor of this state, and I am also a mother,” Fallin said. “Nothing is more important to me than the safety of our children. I’m asking lawmakers in both parties to support HJR 1092 and help give each school district the tools it needs to protect young Oklahomans from tornadoes, shooters, and other threats. My thanks go out to Rep. Echols and Rep. McBride for helping to the lead on this important issue.”
If approved, the language of the proposal states that school districts would be authorized to acquire indebtedness for the construction of storm/safety shelters. The maximum length of the bond note could not exceed 25 years and would not be based on the taxable value of the school district – it would be separate from other general debt obligations of a district.
