Oakwood Schools details May bond plan to add air conditioning, safety and stadium repairs

Oakwood Schools Superintendent Neil Gupta and Business Manager Frank Eaton outlined the scope of a bond the district will ask voters to consider, saying the proposal would fund mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades, installation of central air and targeted safety and athletic-facility repairs.

The information video is intended to give voters factual details ahead of the bond vote; Gupta said, "Oakwood Schools is not advocating for or against the passage of the bond issue." The district's comprehensive master facilities plan was developed with the community in 2018 and divided into three phases, Eaton said, with Phase 2 scheduled to begin in 2025.

"If passed, bond funds from a May 2025 ballot issue would focus mainly on renovations at Smith and Harmon schools," Business Manager Frank Eaton said, describing the core of Phase 2 work as upgrades similar to those completed at the junior high and high school buildings. "Simply put, it would be mechanical, electrical and plumbing work. A significant update would be installing central air conditioning and heat to all student spaces." Eaton also identified districtwide safety enhancements and specific projects, including structural repairs at MacClement Stadium, turf replacement at Lane Stadium and HVAC rooftop replacement at Lane School. He said there are plans to update cafeteria and family consumer science spaces at the junior and senior high buildings.

Gupta directed residents to oakwoodschools.org and the district's master facilities web page (and a QR code shown in the video) for more detailed project descriptions and FAQs, and said the district will continue updating information so voters can "make an informed decision on May 6."