Voters in Canadian County school district 6, which abutts Blaine County, will go to the polls September 12 to vote on a bond referendum for Canadian Valley Technology Center. The amount being sought is $75 million and the funds would be used to construct, equip and repair or remodel school buildings, furnish the buildings, add fixtures and equipment as well as acquiring and improving school sites.
To accomplish this, the district would, if the measure passes, put a tax levy on real estate inside the district and the income from that levy would repay the bonds, which will be at a 10% interest rate or less. The bonds would mature in 15 years.
There are three sites for Canadian Valley, the main campus in El Reno, a second site in Yukon and one in Chickasha.
The superintendent, Dr. Gayla Lutts, told an Oklahoma City news outlet the school has had to turn away students because there was insufficient space available. The increased interest in the school may be in response to added programs, which attracts more students. Recent additions include aviation for high school students, as well as industrial automation. There is also a basic peace officer certification class.
One of the plans for the bond money, if the measure passes, is to add a first responder/ public safety training facility at El Reno and other work at Chickasha.
Furthermore, Lutts said the county has grown more than 33% in the last 10 years.
The higher population would mean the levy is spread over more properties, and the amount placed on each property will reflect that smaller piece of the pie paid by each property owner.
Bond issues don’t only tap into the taxes paid by homeowners. Businesses and even pipelines and pump stations also pony up to support the school.
The deadline to request absentee ballots by mail is approaching. Applications must be received by the County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25.
Canadian County Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said absentee voting is available to all voters and applications can be submitted several ways. “In Oklahoma, no excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot, and it’s easy to apply! Voters can submit their application online, in-person, by fax, mail, or even email,” Arnold said.
Voters can apply online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma. gov/ elections/ ovp. Applications are also available at the County Election Board or can be downloaded at oklahoma. gov/elections.
Arnold reminds voters that only the applicant can submit his or her own absentee ballot application. It is against the law to submit an absentee ballot application for another person.
Voters with questions about absentee voting should contact the county election board at 405422-2422 or CanadianCounty@ elections. ok.gov..
The Canadian County Election Board is located at 200 S. Bickford Avenue in El Reno and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the election board at 405-422-2422.