Durant citizens will have the opportunity to vote on two propositions pertaining to school bonds when they go to the voting booths April 6.

The two bonds, which will total $7.12 million, will help fund various school projects. Durant Superintendent Dr. Jason Simeroth said that no taxes will increase and the bonds are only for existing buildings, not the new high school that is currently under construction.

Proposition No. 1 includes building and security improvements, totaling $6.22 million.

Items include constructing security walls; resurfacing, striping and placing lights in parking lots; installing a fire alarm system at Robert E. Lee; refinishing gym floors; renovating and remodeling carpets and bathrooms; installing new heating ventilation and air (HAVC) units, security key card systems and food service equipment; repairing or replacing roofs; acquiring school vehicles, furniture, band/orchestra equipment, technology upgrades and textbooks as needed.

Proposition 2 includes transportation items, such as replenishing the bus supply and replacing older vehicles, totaling $900,000.

Simeroth said the bonds will be carried out in three series over a three-year period.

The school district has longer than three years to complete all of the projects, but the school district tries to complete projects within the year they are issued, said Sharon Wadley, clerk of the Durant School Board.

Each school bond is sold as a five-year bond. If passed, the bonds would go into effect this summer, Wadley said.

The previous four-series bond passed in 2005 totaled $3.88 million for building upkeep and $850,000 for transportation, which paid for the school’s activity busses.

Simeroth said bond funds taper out as the years progress and the new bond will allow the amount to stay at a flat rate.

According to the propositions, $3.23 million will be issued in the first year, $2.125 million will be issued in the second year and $1.765 million will be issued in the third year.

Simeroth said bonds are necessary because the state does not pay for such operational and building costs items like roofs, furniture, technology, equipment and other items that are required to keep schools in top-notch shape.

“Needs don’t stop even though a past bond is due,” he said.

Simeroth said the Durant community has never failed to pass a school bond and has always been supportive of the district. Bonds also prevent schools from having to dip into general and building funds to pay for projects and renovations.

Simeroth said other districts may think they lack community support for bond issues. The state has cut additional state aid for schools by approximately $700,000.

One of the most notable items on the bond issue are key card entry systems for teachers and administrators district-wide, Simeroth said. This will let them know who goes in and out of the building and ensure their safety.

Another item is security walls, which are designed to lead visitors to school offices. These will be placed at Northwest Heights, Washington Irving and Durant Intermediate School, but plans for greater security at Durant High School are still being discussed, he said.

However, instead of placing a security wall at Robert E. Lee, the front office will be moved by the main entrance, Simeroth said.

HVAC units are also a major item on the school bond issue. Simeroth said the district has at least 20 units that are more than 20 years old.

Wadley said bond funds are paid for out of citizens’ property taxes. The county takes these taxes and, based on assessment valuations, distributes funds to each school into sinking funds, which are used solely to make bond payments.

Under the new bond issue, the same amount — no more or no less — of property taxes will be taken out each term, Simeroth said.

Simeroth said bond issues help provide rich technology, textbooks, upgrades and safer environments for students.

The children will benefit most from the bond issue, because it will help keep schools clean, safe, up-to-date and forward thinking. When students take pride in their buildings, he said, then they will start taking pride in their work and education.

Teachers will also benefit from the bond because it will boost their pride of the facilities and encourage them, he said.

If the propositions are not passed, the Durant school district will have to deplete other funds to pay for the renovations and projects.

“When districts don’t pass bonds, it’s bad for everybody,” Simeroth said, adding that 26 percent of jobs in Bryan County come from public education. Durant schools alone have 450 employees. “It (bond funds) all goes back to schools and back out from there.”

“It’s such a good thing that we can accomplish this without increasing taxes,” Wadley said.