The Watonga School District has asked the City of Watonga to participate in the construction of a memorial for the Dunbar School, a historically Black public school that was located on South Speice Avenue. The school dates back to the days of segregated public education and was surplused when they were integrated in 1959. After that the buildings were used for Head Start programs, then closed entirely.
The derelict buildings were demolished in 2024 and planning began soon after to place a memorial on the site. It will feature a granite obelisk with the names of teachers, coaches and outstanding sports team members on each side. The cost of the memorial structure itself has been met by the school district, but it asked for assistance with the placement of lighting on the feature.
Lighting installation is something of a sticky wicket because the work must be accomplished by a licensed electrician and tied into the system owned and operated by the city.
The school district approached the city, who in turn asked its attorney whether the cost sharing was permissible under state statutes.
The attorney, Jared Harrison, issued an opinion from the attorney general’s office that general funds may be used to support a school project taking place inside the municipality provided the project is sponsored by the school and not a third party the school district is assisting. For instance if there were a committee funding the memorial and the district assisted it, then the city could not participate. However, since this is not the case, the city can participate, if the funds are available.
Weston Rice estimated the costs at $29,599 for the work. The district is seeking other quotes as well. The cost would cover installation of streetlamps around the monument. The city may provide electricity to the site at no cost.
There has been no firm date issued for the dedication of the memorial, put plans are for it to take place in the spring.