Jones sees hope rising from ashes

By Jesse Olivarez

Published: April 2, 2008

JONES — When the students of Jones High School return to class in the fall, they will see construction crews building their new high school.

Voters in the Jones School District on Tuesday approved the $12.4 million bond issue to pay for the construction of a new high school. The measure passed by a vote of 669 to 176.

Jones Superintendent Mike Steele hailed the news as one of the best April Fools' Day gifts ever.

"It's gone from terrible to great,” Steele said. "These students definitely needed a shot in the arm and this overwhelming support on this vote for the students is just going to do wonders for their morale and attitude.”

A fire destroyed Jones High School in December and damaged an old gymnasium that stood nearby. Since then, students have been attending classes in seven portable buildings on the campus' east side and in a gym not damaged by the blaze.

District officials said they plan to use a combination of bond and insurance funds to pay for the new buildings.

Plans call for the construction of a 63,250-square-foot building with 26 classrooms and a cafeteria. The school, which will cost about $9 million, will be large enough to accommodate 400 students and be designed to conserve space on district property so more buildings can be added in years to come.

School officials also hope to build a 23,850-square-foot gymnasium that will seat 1,000 people. The gym would cost about $3 million.

Construction on the new high school will begin in early fall, Steele said. It will then take between 18 and 24 months to complete.

Board President Ken Guthery said he was at once relieved and excited after hearing about Tuesday's vote.

He said he was glad that the bond issue passed because it will allow the school community to finally pull itself out of the doldrums its been in since the fire.

Although nobody was hurt in the Dec. 10 fire, Guthery said the blaze shattered or jolted the pride of many in the small community in east Oklahoma County.

He said the new school will rejuvenate the entire community.

"I would never have imagined Jones having a facility like this,” Guthery said.

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