Edmond Public Schools elections (2015)
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One seat on the Edmond Public Schools school board was up for general election on February 10, 2015. District 5 incumbent Kemp Cole's seat was up for election, but he did not file to seek re-election. John Coburn and Meredith Exline faced each other in the contest to replace Cole.[1] Exline won the seat receiving over 58 percent of the votes cast.[2]
Voters also approved the issuance of $90.66 million in bonds by approving both Propositions No. 1 and 2.[2]
About the district
- See also: Edmond Public Schools, Oklahoma
Edmond Public Schools is located in Oklahoma County in central Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County is Oklahoma City. The county was home to an estimated 755,245 residents in 2013, according to the United States Census Bureau.[3] Edmond was the fourth-largest school district in Oklahoma, serving 21,344 students during the 2010-2011 school year.[4]
Demographics
Oklahoma County outperformed the rest of Oklahoma in terms of higher education achievement and median household income in 2012. The United States Census Bureau found that 29.3 percent of its residents aged 25 years and older had attained a bachelor's degree compared to 23.2 percent for Oklahoma as a whole. The median household income in the county was $45,082 compared to $44,891 for the state of Oklahoma. The poverty rate in Oklahoma County was 17.8 percent compared to 16.6 percent for the entire state.[3]
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Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.
Voter and candidate information
The Edmond school board consists of five members elected to five-year terms by geographic electoral districts. There was no primary election, and the general election was held on February 10, 2015.
Candidates began to file affidavits of candidacy on December 1, 2014. The filing deadline for school board candidates to get on the ballot in the general election was December 3, 2014.[6]
Elections
2015
Candidates
District 5
- John Coburn
- Financial professional, Cornerstone Planning Group, LLC
- Bachelor's degree, Northeastern State University
- Meredith Exline
- Member, Parent Legislative Action Committee
- Bachelor's degree, Oklahoma State University
Election results
| Edmond Public Schools, District 5 General Election, 5-year term, 2015 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan |  Meredith Exline |
58.9% | 851 | |
| Nonpartisan | John Coburn | 41.1% | 595 | |
| Total Votes | 1,446 | |||
| Source: Oklahoma State Election Board, "Official Results: Special Elections—February 10, 2015," accessed February 17, 2015 | ||||
Endorsements
Exline was endorsed by The Edmond Sun on February 6, 2015.[7]
Campaign finance
No contributions or expenditures were reported in this election, according to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.[8]
Past elections
Information about earlier elections can be found by clicking [show] at the right. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2014
On February 11, 2014, Cynthia Benson defeated Stephanie Bills in the general election.
2013Jamie Underwood ran unopposed for re-election and won the Area 3 seat by default. The school district canceled the election due to the lack of opposition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What was at stake?
2015
With two candidates seeking the open District 5 school board seat, the Edmond Public Schools Board of Education was guaranteed to see a new face following the 2015 general election. District residents also faced a decision on whether or not to authorize two separate bond propositions for a total of $90.66 million in bonds.
Issues in the election
Candidate forum
Coburn and Exline participated in a candidate forum hosted by the district's parent-teacher organization on January 20, 2015. An audience of about 70 people came and submitted questions for the candidates, which were moderated by Wendell Edwards. Each candidate made an opening statement and was given three minutes to respond to each question.[9]
Coburn focused on the district's budget, saying at one point in the evening that he considered it the district's main problem. He also stated that the district has been and should be run like a business. He cited retiring Superitendent David Goin as having accomplished this. He also said, "I am an expert in finance. We have to strategically target our spending to squeeze everything out of every dollar. We don’t have the cushion to make mistakes.” When asked why voters should choose him, Coburn again cited his financial experience.[9]
During the forum, Exline emphasized her desire to change what she calls "testing culture." She also agreed with Coburn's assessment that finances are the biggest problem facing the district and stated that the district must find a way to be able to attract quality teachers with budget constrains affecting the pay they can offer. When asked why voters should choose her, Exline cited her ongoing work in the district and with the Oklahoma Central Parent Legislative Action Committee (PLAC) as a demonstration of her engagement and experience.[9]
Both candidates expressed that they would seek to be in contact with state legislators.[9]
Bond propositions
Two bond issues won voter approval on the ballot on February 10, 2015. The school board decided upon the placement of the questions to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for the school district on the ballot at their December 8, 2014, meeting. The two propositions together totaled $90.66 million in bonds.[10][11]
Proposition No. 1 issued $88.66 million in bonds for various school property improvements. Proposition No. 2 issued $2 million to purchase transportation equipment, such as buses. Both propositions will bear interest not to exceed the rate of 10 percent annually and are due serially within five years from their date.[12]
Results
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Text of measures
The bond issues appeared on the ballot as follows:
| “ |
"Shall Independent School District Number 12 of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, incur an indebtedness by issuing its bonds in the sum of Eighty-Eight Million Six Hundred and Sixty Thousand Dollars ($88,660,000) to be issued in series to provide funds for the purpose of improving or acquiring school sites, constructing, repairing, remodeling and equipping school buildings, and acquiring school furniture, fixtures and equipment; and levy and collect an annual tax, in addition to all other taxes, upon all the taxable property in such District sufficient to pay the interest on such bonds as it falls due and also to constitute a sinking fund for the payment of the principal thereof when due, said bonds to bear interest not to exceed the rate of ten (10%) percentum per annum, payable semi-annually and to become due serially within five (5) years from their date?" "Shall Independent School District Number 12 of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, incur an indebtedness by issuing its bonds in the sum of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) to be issued in series to provide funds for the purpose of purchasing transportation equipment and levy and collect an annual tax, in addition to all other taxes, upon all the taxable property in such District sufficient to pay the interest on such bonds as it falls due and also to constitute a sinking fund for the payment of the principal thereof when due, said bonds to bear interest not to exceed the rate of ten (10%) percentum per annum, payable semi-annually and to become due serially within five (5) years from their date?"[13] |
” |
| —Edmond Public Schools (2014)[14] | ||
Bond appropriations
| Proposition No. 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Amount | |
| Technology | Provide for improvements to the Edmond School District to include, but not limited to, purchasing and installing computers, computer software, technology related equipment, wireless networking equipment, phone systems, copiers and technology related support services. | $8,180,000 |
| Roofing Replacement | Improve Memorial High School located at 1000 East 15th and Orvis Risner Elementary, located at 2801 South Rankin, to include but not limited to replacement of certain roofing. | $1,800,000 |
| School Security | Improve and upgrade security at certain middle schools and elementary schools, as needed and as funds allow throughout the School District to include, but not be limited to the installation of new video surveillance equipment. | $400,000 |
| School Equipment | Provide for improvements to the Edmond School District, to include but not limited to, the purchasing of fine arts equipment and the purchasing of athletic equipment, as needed and as funds will allow at District high schools and middle schools, the purchase of child nutrition kitchen equipment, maintenance vehicles and the purchase of library/media center books, software subscriptions, instructional equipment, instructional materials and textbooks as needed and as funds will allow throughout the School District. | $6,300,000 |
| HVAC Replacement | Improve Ida Freeman Elementary located at 501 W. Hurd, and Cimarron Middle School located at 3701 S. Bryant, to include but not be limited to, replacement of HVAC units and equipment, as needed. | $1,600,000 |
| Flooring | Improve Charles Haskell Elementary located at 1701 NW 150th, to include, but not be limited to the replacement of carpet and tile, as needed. | $400,000 |
| Frontier Elementary School | Improve Frontier Elementary located at 4901 Explorer Drive to include but not be limited to, constructing and equipping of a multi-classroom addition. | $2,500,000 |
| Heritage Elementary School | Improve Heritage Elementary located at 400 E. Sorghum Mill Road, to include but not be limited to, constructing and equipping of a multi-classroom addition. | $2,500,000 |
| Heartland Middle School | Complete Phase 2 of Heartland Middle School located at 4900 Explorer Drive, to include, but not be limited to constructing and equipping a multi classroom addition, a practice gym/storm shelter, parking lot, tennis courts and acquiring technology, furniture and equipment. | $7,800,000 |
| Clyde Howell Early Childhood Center | Improve Clyde Howell Early Childhood Center located at 45 East 12th to include, but not be limited to constructing and equipping a multi-purpose room / storm shelter. | $500,000 |
| Clegern Elementary | Improve Clegern Elementary located at 601 S. Jackson to include, but not be limited to constructing and equipping a multi-purpose room / storm shelter. | $1,000,000 |
| Ida Freeman Elementary | Improve Ida Freeman Elementary located at 501 W. Hurd to include, but not be limited to constructing and equipping a media center / storm shelter. | $2,500,000 |
| John Ross Elementary | Improve John Ross Elementary located at 1901 N. Thomas to include, but not be limited to constructing and equipping classroom additions / storm shelter. | $2,900,000 |
| Orvis Risner Elementary | Improve Orvis Risner Elementary located at 2801 S. Rankin to include but not be limited to construction and equipping of a media center / storm shelter. | $2,500,000 |
| Russell Dougherty Elementary | Improve Russell Dougherty Elementary located at 19 N. Boulevard to include, but not be limited to constructing and equipping a multi-purpose room / storm shelter. | $1,000,000 |
| Sunset Elementary | Improve Sunset Elementary located at 400 W. Eighth to include, but not be limited to constructing and equipping a media center / storm shelter. | $3,000,000 |
| Memorial High School | Improve Memorial High School located at 1000 E. 15th, to include, but not limited to constructing a band room / storm shelter, remodeling and improving the large gym, lobby, locker rooms and provide for tennis improvements to include, but not be limited to new courts and a locker room. | $11,395,000 |
| North High School | Improve North High School located at 215 W. Danforth, to include, but not limited to, classroom updates, constructing and equipping a soccer / track locker room and provide for tennis improvements to include, but not be limited to new courts and a locker room. | $11,300,000 |
| Santa Fe High School | Improve Santa Fe High School located at 1901 SW15th, to include but not limited to, remodeling of select classrooms, construction of a classroom addition / storm shelter, stadium upgrades to include but not limited to new seating, lighting, restrooms, concessions and locker room. | $16,955,000 |
| Land Purchase | Purchase land for the purpose of constructing a future elementary / middle school. | $1,500,000 |
| Fire System Upgrades | Improve Clegern Elementary located at 601 S. Jackson and Northern Hills Elementary located at 901 E. Wayne to include, but not be limited to installation of new fire suppression equipment/systems. | $730,000 |
| Parking Lot and Road Improvements | Improve Charles Haskell Elementary located at 1701 NW 150th, Summit Middle School located at 1703 NW 150th, Sequoyah Middle School located at 1125 E. Danforth, Will Rogers Elementary located at 1215 E. 9th, Memorial High School located at 1000 E. 15th, to include, but not limited to resurfacing and modification of existing parking lots and access roads, as needed and as funds allow. | $1,650,000 |
| Playgrounds Installations | Acquiring and installing of accessible playground equipment and impact material at Clyde Howell Early Childhood Center located at 45 East 12th, Russell Dougherty Elementary located at 19 N. Boulevard, Sunset Elementary located at 400 W. Eighth and Cross Timbers Elementary located at 4800 N. Kelly. | $250,000 |
| Proposition No. 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Amount | |
| Transportation | Purchase school transportation equipment to include, but not limited to, large school buses, small school buses and large capacity sports utility vehicles. | $2,000,000 |
Key deadlines
The following dates were key deadlines for the election in 2015:[15][16]
| Deadline | Event |
|---|---|
| December 1-3, 2014 | Candidate filing period |
| January 16, 2015 | Voter registration closes |
| February 4, 2015 | Absentee ballot request deadline |
| February 5-6, 2015 | Early voting period |
| February 10, 2015 | General election date |
| April 30, 2015 | Campaign finance report deadline |
Additional elections on the ballot
- See also: Oklahoma elections, 2015
The statewide annual school election date was February 10, 2015. No other offices were scheduled for election on that date.
Two bond issues appeared on the ballot for the Edmond Public Schools residents. For more information, see what was at stake in the 2015 election.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Edmond Public Schools Oklahoma. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Edmond Public Schools | Oklahoma | School Boards |
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External links
Additional reading
- News9.com, "Edmond Public Schools Seeking $91 Million Bond," December 12, 2014
- The Oklahoman, "Two people seek open seat on Edmond School Board," December 6, 2014
- The Edmond Sun, "Two candidates file for Edmond School Board Seat 5," December 3, 2014
- The Edmond Sun, "Pair of candidates enter ring for Edmond School Board Seat 5," December 3, 2014
Footnotes
- ↑ Margaret Koenig, "Mail correspondence with Oklahoma County Election Board," December 5, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Oklahoma State Election Board, "Unofficial Results: Multicounty Races Annual School Election — February 10, 2015," accessed February 10, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 United States Census Bureau, "Oklahoma County, Oklahoma," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "ELSI Table Generator," accessed January 14, 2014
- ↑ Oklahoma, "MESA - Current Registration Statistics by County," accessed January 15, 2014
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcandidate - ↑ The Edmond Sun, "Exline solid candidate for school board," February 6, 2015
- ↑ Oklahoma Ethics Commission, "Campaign Reporting Systems," accessed February 17, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Edmond Sun, "Candidates aim to keep Edmond schools on the right path," January 23, 2015
- ↑ Edmond Public Schools, "Board Agenda Regular Meeting December 8, 2014," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Margaret Koenig, "Email correspondence with Lee Ann Kuhlman, Edmonds Board of Education President," December 9, 2014
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedbonds - ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Margaret Koenig, "Email correspondence with Judy Pendergraft, Edmond Public Schools," December 17, 2014
- ↑ Oklahoma State Elections Board, "2015 Election Calendar," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Oklahoma Ethics Commission, "Reporting Calendar," accessed December 5, 2014
| 2015 Edmond Public Schools Elections | |
| Oklahoma County, Oklahoma | |
| Election date: | February 10, 2015 |
| Candidates: | District 5: • John Coburn • Meredith Exline |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
