New school nears construction in Pauls Valley

An artist's rendering of a new elementary school planned in Pauls Valley. (Courtesy)

PAULS VALLEY, Okla. -- Pauls Valley Public Schools is planning to expand thanks to a $23 million bond approved by voters earlier this year.

The biggest project is a new elementary school that will accommodate 450 students from Pre-K to third grade.

The building will eventually replace Jackson and Jefferson schools that have been plagued with maintenance issues.

"We were looking at up to $10 million in renovations," Superintendent Mike Martin explained. "So we sat there and thought: 'Well, are we throwing money after that?' So at some point, if we spent that $10 million, it's kind of lipstick on a pig."

A new building was proposed and rejected by voters twice in the same year. But Martin said the third proposal was a perfect fit.

"We listened, got feedback from the public, and we did get it right this time," he said, adding that keeping each student safe in the new facility was a top priority.

"Now parents know, when they send their kids to school, if there were ever a tornado during the day, there's a safe room -- a shelter -- that would withstand an F-5 tornado," Martin said.

The district has been working to keep the project on schedule.to get every detail perfect.

"We want to spend the taxpayer dollar the best we can and get the most bang for their buck," Martin said.

Bidding for the new school building will open next month, with groundbreaking at the site on West Grant Avenue expected in February.