Published: October 12, 2009 10:01 am      

On the ballot: School buses

Crowder election set Tuesday

By JAMES BEATY

SENIOR EDITOR

All regular precincts in the Crowder School District will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday for the Crowder school bond election, when voters will decide on a transportation issue.

Crowder school officials are asking voters to approve a $300,000 transportation issue to buy two school buses and pay off the existing debt on a third bus, said Crowder School Superintendent David Jones.

Meanwhile, early voting continues until 6 p.m. today at the Pittsburg County Election Board office. The office is in the Professional Building on Washington Avenue, between North Main Street and First Street, adjacent to McAlester City Hall.

The school needs a new activity and bus, as well as a new bus to drive on regular school routes, Jones said. Paying off the third bus early would result in an economic benefit for the school, he said.

All of the school groups at the Crowder school would be able to use the new activity bus, Jones said.

Also, a larger and better bus is needed for the route on the south end of the school district, he said. The one currently in use on the south end of the route holds 71 passengers.

“We’re looking for an 83-passenger bus,” Jones said.

In addition to the need for the new buses, paying off the existing debt on a third bus would amount to approximately $50,000, he said.

Jones said the school’s enrollment is growing and the buses are needed.

The ad valorem tax increase needed for the bond will be in place for five years if the measure passes, Jones said.

Voters with any questions about whether they live in the Crowder school district can check with election officials at 423-3877. Precincts that will be open Tuesday for the Crowder School bond election are:

• Precinct 14 — Edmond Doyle School

• Precinct 22 — Crowder Senior Center

• Precinct 26 — Blocker Baptist Church

• Precinct 30 — Crowder Senior Center

• Precinct 31 — Arrowhead Estates Office

• Precinct 37 — Indianola School Auditorium

• Precinct 42 — Bug Tussle Baptist Church

• Precinct 44 — Quinton City Hall

• Precinct 46 — Bug Tussle Baptist Church

• Precinct 61 — Richville Baptist Church

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.