Durant school district to host bond project public forum May 31

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The Durant Community School District will host an informational session on a proposed bond referendum May 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Information on the project will be presented and the public is invited to attend. There will also be time for Q&A from those in attendance.

Attending the meeting will be members of the district’s building committee, which consists of community members, staff, administration and school board members; representatives from Bush Construction; and representatives from Legat Architects.

According to Elementary/Middle School Principal and acting Superintendent Rebecca Stineman, there are four major areas of need that the building committee focused on to prioritize the most impact for Durant’s staff, students and community; they include:

* Safety — The redesigning of the entrance to the building allows for a more secure/monitored entrance.

* Classroom space — This will include an addition of several classrooms to provide for state of the art STEM opportunities and innovations.

* Auditorium renovation — This space will be a full-sized equipped, modernized, functional stage, that allows for more seating and provide the numerous events and activities Durant hosts with updated lighting and sound. Examples include concerts, theatrical, dance, and fine arts performances, graduations, guest speakers, etc.

* Gym space — This is essential in order to provide a consistent schedule for preschool through high school students and not have to have physical education classes and opportunities restricted due to lack of space.

All renovations would address ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility.

Current cost projections for the project are around $10.8 million, which would equate to a raise in taxes of $3.65 per $1,000 of evaluation. Durant’s current tax rate is $10.65, one of the lowest in the area.

The vision of the school board is to bring the bond referendum to a September vote.

“We will be sending a survey to community members as another way for them to share their opinions by filling it out and sending it back to the school,” said Stineman. “This will be coming out in the next week or two.”

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