Enid Public Schools Reaches School Construction Completion

ENID, Okla. — School construction related to Enid Public Schools’ capital improvement project is near completion. Four years ago, voters approved a $99 million bond issue, and nine businesses and individuals gave an additional $3.4 million so that Enid Public Schools could renovate its schools. Atlanta-based Carter and Associates was contracted to assist with strategic master planning of the project and managing the work.
In 2009, Enid Public Schools’ enrollment had grown by 3.7 percent, more than other districts across the state. As such, the school district has since added two new elementary schools — Prairie View Elementary School and a replacement facility for Garfield Elementary School — as well as renovated its other 10 elementary schools, three middle schools and high school. Both elementary schools opened in fall 2012, and were the first new elementary schools to be built in Enid since 1963. Prairie View was built on 22.96 acres donated by locally based Prairie Development LLC, which is owned by Cummins Construction.
The remaining schools have also been renovated according to the buildings’ needs assessed by a committee of local residents and community leaders. Over the past year, major renovations were completed at Eisenhower, Lincoln, Monroe and McKinley elementary schools, and more classrooms were added to Waller Middle School.
Enid High School also opened University Center, a 20-classroom building that houses advanced placement and dual-credit classes as part of a partnership with Northern Oklahoma College, Autry Technology Center and the College Board. University Center was not part of the original $99 million school construction and renovation bond initiative, but it was made possible as a part of savings from the other projects.
The renovations at Eisenhower Elementary School, for instance, included new toilets that automatically flush and water fountains that encourage students to fill up their own water bottles. Plus, a new yellow and blue color scheme brighten ups the environment. Several of the renovations also addressed student safety and ADA requirements.
Renovations are still underway at Longfellow Middle School and some of the older schools are still having work done on their brick walls, but are scheduled for completion later this year.