Updates on Bond Projects

New Elementary School

We are in the process of purchasing 42.5 acres of land for our new elementary school, located on the southwest corner of NW 164th and Sara Rd. This purchase will give us enough room to build the school with additional land for future projects.

Managing traffic at the new elementary school

The new elementary school features a design that allows for "double stacking" of vehicles, meaning that cars will line up side-by-side for drop-off and pick-up on school property. This arrangement ensures that most vehicles will not be parked on NW 164th. Parents and guardians will enter the school grounds off 164th street on the west side of the school. Vehicles will then double stack along the west side of the building, continue around the back (south) side, and ultimately reach the designated drop-off and pick-up area located on the east side of the school.

New Intermediate School

Dirt work has started on the new intermediate school, which will be located directly west of Stone Ridge Elementary. This new facility will help decrease the student population at the current intermediate school by 50 percent, leading to a significant reduction in traffic at Piedmont Intermediate. The new school is expected to open in August 2026.

Managing traffic at the new intermediate school

At this time, vehicles can only enter and exit Stone Ridge Elementary from Memorial Road. With the opening of the new intermediate school, families will be able to use both Memorial Road (to the north of Stone Ridge Elementary and the new Intermediate) and NW 134th Street (to the south of both schools) for entering and exiting the campus.

The two schools also have different start and end times. The intermediate school will start classes at 7:50 AM and finish at 2:50 PM. Stone Ridge Elementary will maintain its schedule from 8:45 AM to 3:45 PM.

Progress Updates on Bond Projects

• Playground Turf - New turf installation is complete at all elementary schools and Piedmont Intermediate.
• Safe Room for Stone Ridge Elementary –This project is scheduled to start this summer and is set to be finished by March 2026.
• Buses – The buses were ordered shortly after the bond was approved and are set to be delivered to Piedmont Schools in June 2025.
• Purchase new band instruments – Mr. Janke is preparing a request for proposals to invite bids for band instruments.
• Bumper trailer and semi-trailer for Band – The bumper trailer, which pulls behind a pickup truck, is here! We have ordered the semi-trailer, but do not have an estimated delivery date.
• Textbooks – We will begin ordering new textbooks this summer.
• Technology - New intercom systems - Upgraded intercom systems have been installed at the Piedmont High School, Middle School of Piedmont, Piedmont Elementary, and Stone Ridge Elementary. The new intercoms for Piedmont Intermediate, the Piedmont ECC, and Northwood are in various stages of implementation.
• Technology - Security cameras – All schools have installed new interior security cameras. The installation of new exterior security cameras is still underway.
• Bleachers for the football stadium – There is a long wait time for the manufacturing and installation of bleachers. Our bleachers are scheduled for installation in the summer of 2026.
• Deferred maintenance – We have a significant number of deferred maintenance projects underway, including new flooring, plumbing repairs, HVAC unit replacements, and the previously mentioned outdated intercom systems.
• Parking lots – Construction of a parking lot for the football stadium will begin in early May and is expected to be completed by August 1st.

General Questions

Q: Are the new schools in Piedmont city limits or Oklahoma City limits?

A: Both new schools are in the Oklahoma City city limits. This is confusing because Piedmont city limits are different than Piedmont Public Schools boundaries.

Piedmont Schools boundaries

The City of Piedmont boundaries

Q: What are the processes for permitting, building and occupancy?

A: The Early Childhood Center, Stone Ridge Elementary, Northwood Elementary, the new intermediate school and the new elementary school are all in OKC city limits. All permitting for those schools goes through Oklahoma City.

The high school, middle school, Piedmont Intermediate (current), and Piedmont Elementary are in the City of Piedmont city limits. All permitting for these schools goes through the City of Piedmont. Different cities have different codes and other requirements. The goal for all permitting is to ensure a safe building for everyone.

Q: Will school start and end times change after the new schools are opened?

A: There are no current plans to change the start and end times at any Piedmont schools. The current start and end times allow us to run bus routes for all the different grade levels.

Q: Can bond money be used for teacher and staff salaries?

A: No. The law only allows school bond funds to construct or renovate school facilities, equip school buildings with furniture or fixtures, and acquire property utilized for instructional materials and transportation needs. This money cannot be spent on salaries, benefits, or other general fund expenses.

Q: Can school bond funds be used to repair or replace city roads?

A: No, as explained in the previous question, school bond funds can only be used to construct or renovate school facilities, equip school buildings with furniture or fixtures, and acquire property utilized for instructional materials and transportation needs.

If you have questions regarding road conditions in Piedmont, please get in touch with the City of Piedmont.

Q: What are the challenges associated with building new schools?

There are several challenges we encounter when building a new school. One significant issue is the acquisition of land. In the Piedmont School District, land is highly sought after and, as a result, quite expensive. Finding a suitable property that is available for sale and appropriate for constructing a school presents a challenge. Additionally, we need to consider whether sanitary sewer and water services are available on or near the land.

Financial Questions

Q. What was the total cost of the 2024 Student Investment Plan that Piedmont Schools patrons approved on April 2, 2024?

A. The total cost to complete all of the projects is $113 million.

Q. Was there be a tax increase associated with the bond issue?

A. There was NO PROPOSED TAX INCREASE with this bond issue. The bond proposal calls for 36 mills. This millage is slightly lower than the millage approved by Piedmont voters for the bond in 2020. You can think of mills as the "tax rate" for the bond. Our taxpayer base broadens when new houses or businesses are built in the Piedmont School District. That means more people are paying down the bond debt. As more taxpayers help pay the bond debt, the amount of tax - the millage - goes down. So, the statement "no proposed tax increase" means that the millage rate (tax amount) cannot exceed 36 mills for this bond. 

Based on our average valuation growth in the past ten years, the millage rate will continue to go down from the rate of 36 mills as additional taxpayers come on the tax rolls each year. By maintaining the 36 mills on this and future bonds, Piedmont can address the needs of our district without raising taxes above the 36 mills rate. This is what we mean when we say "no proposed tax increase." Piedmont's continued growth allows the district to maintain the current tax and address the greatest needs of the 2024 Student Investment Plan.

Piedmont is one of the fastest-growing school districts in the state of Oklahoma. Depending on the new homeowner, the construction of new houses may or may not bring additional students. However, every new home built in our district pays the same tax rate, lowering everyone's overall tax burden. Great schools that are well-maintained drive property values up. 

Q. What is the length of the bond issue, and why is this important?

A. The bond's length is proposed for 11 years. This proposal allows the district to build, construct, and deploy the projects in the bond issue while paying on the bond, much like homeowners do on a home mortgage. Keeping it spread out over 11 years, along with the growth of new homes within the district, the tax rate will never exceed the voted-upon tax rate of 36 mills.

Q: How can we be sure bond funds are used according to their intended purpose?

A: District staff researched and estimated costs for every project listed in the proposition. While we are confident the projected costs for each project are accurate, we understand expenses may fluctuate between bond approval and project commencement and throughout the purchasing process. A degree of flexibility is built into the budget to accommodate potential cost overages and ensure complete projects. Piedmont Schools are responsible stewards of your money and remain committed to serving our community with integrity.

Proposed Project Questions

Q: What are the projects in the 2024 Student Investment Plan?

A: Proposed projects include:

• Construct and Furnish New Intermediate School
• Construct and Furnish New Elementary, as well as purchase land for the site
• Build safe rooms that double as classrooms at Stone Ridge Elementary
• Playground and turf at every elementary site
• Purchase new buses for the district
• Replace outdated band instruments with new ones
• Purchase a new band truck and trailer to transport band equipment
• Textbook and technology upgrades and refresh
• Add additional bleachers on the home side of the F&M Bank Stadium
• Deferred maintenance across the district
• Pave/gravel parking lots (multiple areas, district-wide)

Q: How were the projects selected for the bond issue?

A. The 2024 Student Investment Plan prioritizes the district's most significant challenges, specifically the current and future growth trends for our school district over the next ten years. This plan also focuses on school safety, academic excellence, and investing in critical areas identified by our community. A committee of Piedmont parents and community members helped develop and narrow the list of projects included in this bond. A community survey was also sent to all parents to gain additional data for project selection.

Q. What are the goals of the 2024 Student Investment Plan?

A. The 2024 Student Investment Plan prioritizes the district's most significant challenges, specifically the current and future growth trends for our school district over the next ten years. This plan also focuses on school safety, academic excellence, and investing in critical areas identified by our community.