Duncan Ed Board gets updates on bond projects, bids

May 14—The Duncan Board of Education heard updates from the 2020 Bond Vision Projects during a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, May 9.

During the meeting, Nate Ellis, with Public Finance Law Group, updated district officials with bids received for the purchase of $2,525,000 combined purpose general obligation bonds, which is the taxable series 2023 of the district.

Ellis said they received bids for their most recent series of bonds.

"You received five bids from different banks across the country," he said. "First Bankers' Banc Securities, Inc. was the low bidder at a taxable interest rate of 5.171%. It was a competitive process, followed the state statutes."

Ellis recommended to approve the low bid as presented with two-year maturities and the board approved the low bid at First Bankers' Banc Securities, Inc. at 5.171%.

Next, Ellis presented a resolution for issuance of the combined purpose general obligation bonds for $2,525,000.

Ellis said the resolution authorizes the actual issuance of the bonds pursuant to the terms of the low bid, approves different documents and they will close July 6. The board approved the resolution with a 5-0 vote.

In other news, the board approved three different lease purchase agreements with Independent School District Number 1 of Stephens County: One for Stephens County Educational Facilities Authority from Dec. 15, 2020; one for BancFirst in Duncan from March 18, 2021; and one for, Stephens County Educational Facilities Authority from Dec. 1, 2021.

Ellis said this is the ratification that needs to be approved annually on the three outstanding lease purchase agreements.

Moving on, Ken Shaw, with Hope Equipment and Construction, provided a brief update about ongoing and upcoming projects.

Shaw talked with board members about the plans for the transportation facility.

"The bus parking will be next to the Foreman House," he said. "The new bus maintenance facility will be next to the west of the east building at the FBC."

According to Shaw, the building will eventually be maintenance and central receiving.

"To start with, it's going to be transportation," he said.

Next, Shaw addressed the board about receiving bids on the Duncan High School roofing project.

"There were four bidders," he said. "The low bidder was Cantrell Exterior Finishes, LLC. Their low bid was $349,000. The second closest bid to them was Duncan Total Roofing at $452,000."

For the next roofing projects, Shaw said they would like to work on Duncan Middle School, Woodrow Wilson, Will Rogers and Horace Mann.

"Probably, Horace Mann will be a re-coat with some roof drains added to it," he said. "It will be one of the 10-year projects. Woodrow will be a new roof, DMS is going to be a patch and repair."

According to Shaw, Will Rogers is still up for debate when it comes to what type of roof they will get.

Next, Shaw updated the board on the Field House at the Halliburton Stadium and brought a change proposal for an increase of $8,440.78 on the footing for the Field House at the Halliburton Stadium as part of the DPS 2020 Vision Bond Projects.

The board approved the change order with a 5-0 vote.

In another segment, Superintendent Dr. Channa Byerly presented her district update to the board, which included recognitions for Oklahoma Academic Scholars, the 2023 Wrestling Team and Duncan FFA Students.

Byerly also recognized the Boys Golf Team who are back-to-back State Champions and the Girls Golf Team that placed as runner up. Byerly also provided updates on the Girls Tennis and Boys Tennis teams, State Track, baseball, Leadership Academy, awards and scholarships assemblies, District Special Olympics, Duncan Middle School's Evening of Excellence and Plato Elementary, which received the Great Expectations Model Schools.

"We have a lot of things going on," she said.

In other news, the board approved:

—Policy 2034 Naming of Facilities.

—A name change for the Phil Barnes Tennis Locker Room to the Phil Barnes Tennis Field House.

—To change the middle school principal's position from an 11-month contract to a 12-month contract.

—A one-time stipend for the Assistant Superintendent.

The next Duncan Board of Ed meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on June 20 at the admin building.