By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Two heavyweights of the construction industry vied for business from Piedmont Public Schools Monday night, but only one came out on top.
Anticipating voters in the Piedmont school district will pass the largest school bond issue in the district’s history when they go to the polls April 2, the Piedmont School Board had a choice between the two giants.
Lippert Brothers Inc. and Lingo Construction Services were the frontrunners for the future projects. A special election for about $114.5 million in general obligation bond issues for voters to decide in the growing district in a special election Tuesday, April 2.
After hearing presentations from representatives from both companies, it did not take long for the Piedmont School Board to unanimously approve Lingo Construction, headquartered in downtown Oklahoma City, as the construction managers for the bond projects that have been proposed in the April 2 question.
Board members questioned representatives of the companies, including Tom M. Lippert, the president of Lippert Brothers Inc., about the safety of workers, and the safety of students during construction projects. Board members also asked about projects and whether they are completed on time and under or over budgets.
Lippert Brothers has worked on the $17.7 Piedmont Middle School project, and Lippert’s Hank Hudson, project manager, talked about that project as board members listened to his presentation. Lippert Brothers has also worked at Redbud Elementary in the Edmond School District.
Lingo Construction’s owner Stan Lingo said the company has been focused on construction management for 25 years.
“We are looking to do multiple projects to earn our keep and be a valued partner on projects that come in the future,” Stan Lingo said.
Stan Lingo also talked about his company’s work on the new Capps Middle School that is built near a neighborhood in Warr Acres in the Putnam City School District.
The bond issue will be decided April 2
The upcoming election has been promoted by Superintendent Drew Eichelberger as the district’s “student investment plan.”
If passed, it would be the largest school bond issue in Piedmont history with $112.9 million for construction and capital improvements and $1.5 million for buses.
School bond issues in Oklahoma require 60% voter approval to pass.
Superintendent Drew Eichelberger has posted a note about the upcoming election on the school’s website that calls the bond issue a “Student Investment Plan.”
Eichelberger wrote,
Our board approved a bond resolution calling for a student investment plan totaling $112.98 million. If passed by patrons, this investment will play a crucial role in moving our district forward. With this plan, there is no proposed tax increase. This is due to the continued growth in our district.
We will continue to share in-depth information about all of the projects in this student investment plan. All in-district patrons who are registered voters will be eligible to vote on April 2nd,” Eichelberger wrote.
Projects on the list are the intermediate school, Stone Ridge Elementary safe room, buses, land for a new elementary school, textbooks, technology, playground needs and bleachers at F&M Bank Stadium. Band instruments and a band truck and trailer made the list of needs.
The projects were selected after a meeting with a superintendent’s advisory council – a group of community members and parents, Eichelberger wrote.
“This group collaborated to select projects they deemed most important for the students of Piedmont Schools. The district then used this information to develop a survey for our school community. The survey provided insight into what our school community finds most important as our district grows,” Eichelberger wrote.
Eichelberger told school board members at the January board meeting.
“If the bond is passed by the patrons of Piedmont it will play a crucial role in the continuation of moving the district forward.”
The board unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the bond issue and election.
The district needs a new $30.4 million intermediate school and a $30.4 million elementary school as well as other capital improvements.
The first proposition will be for $113 million for construction of the new buildings and capital improvements and a separate bond issue on the ballots for $1.5 million for new buses.
“If we don’t pass this bond and these two schools that are on this bond and these buses that are on this bond Piedmont Public Schools are in a bind” Eichelberger told board members.
The board also heard a presentation from Kathleen Kennedy of the Center for Education Communication, a marketing firm that can help promote passage of the bond issues. The board also heard a presentation from Stan Lingo of Lingo Construction who talked about construction work by the Canadian County firm.
In 2020 voters approved a $35.7 million bond issue for the new Wildcat Athletic Center, FEMA safe room, secure entrance, connection of buildings, additional classrooms, a new media center, new cafeteria, new gym, band room, and middle school offices.
The board also approved The Stacy Group, Inc. for architectural services for the 2024 bond program.
Classrooms have been needed in the growing district, board members have said during previous board meetings.
Tuesday night the district heard a demographic study report for the district of 5,337 students. Housing growth has been noted through the COVID-19 years, with home sales peaking in 2021. Home sales slowed as interest rates rose through 2023. The demand for new homes is higher than a decade ago, and there are 11 subdivisions under construction in Piedmont.
One of the additions is Nichols Creek at NW 122 west of N. County Line where there are four children for every 10 homes built. Enrollment will continue to go up. Some 3,000 future homes are expected, a representative of the demographics study firm Zonda Education told board members. Another housing addition is planned for Morgan Road and Memorial Road.
Also, Habitat for Humanity is building their largest affordable housing addition in their history near NW 150 and Morgan Road in the Piedmont School district. Cornerstone Creek will provide 450 affordable housing.
Superintendent Eichelberger said there was a series of bond advisory meetings and the growing intermediate school has been a top concern.
Another need is a safe room at Stoneridge Elementary. The need for buses continues.
