September 13, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 down school bond By Don Munsch, Editor ) WOTE NO Both propositions of a school bond election, including one that would pay for a new event center, were voted down — si : <a Tuesday in Canute. Elk City Public Schools board member Darin Schmidt, center right, Prop 1, at a little over $13 million, would have funded a itakes a plaque from board president Brandon Storm at the board new event center. It was voted down 360 to 99 (78 percent to meeting Monday night. Also shown here are, from left, board mem- 22 percent). Prop 2, at $630,000, would have funded trans- bers Jim Blevins and Kris Waters and Assistant Superintendent portation (buses). It failed in a 306 to 154 vote (67 percent to 33 percent). Cindy Buckmaster and Superintendent Rick Garrison. Staff photo by The new event center, with air conditioning, was proposed Don Munsch. to be 33,750 square feet in size and offer a performance stage and a 1,086-seat gymnasium, and that proposition also included two school vehicles and a remodeling of a restroom Elk City Public Schools looking to fill board seat for ADA compliance in the junior high/high school area, for a total amount of a just a little over $13 million. The second proposition included transportation equipment, or buses, in the amount of $630,000. Don Munsch, Editor Bond passage would have brought a 19.99 percent tax in- Elk City Public Schools board member Darin Schmidt resigned his seat on the board crease. after purchasing a home out of district. “This election brought about a record voter turnout,” Ca- The school board accepted his resignation in a 3-0 vote Monday night in its regular nute Superintendent Jill Henderson said in a statement Tues- meeting. Board member Kirby McBroom was absent. day night to The Elk City News. “Canute has a lot of people Schmidt had served on the board since April 2012. who care about this community and our school. This process “Tt’s been a good seven years, and I had a good board to work with,” Schmidt said af- has inspired great discussions that will allow us to move for- terward. “I think we made a lot of progress over the last seven years with our technology Signs noting support ward to formulate a plan to continue to better our district. and our facilities. The board is in good hands going forward.” and opposition for Thank you to everyone who came out and voted.” His proudest accomplishment was seeing the passage of the bond for the new elemen- the Canute school Henderson did not respond to subsequent messages seek- tary school. That happened in 2015; a previous bond for the elementary failed in 2011. ing comment. Schmidt will still live in Elk City, but will be living outside the district. bond issue dot two Canute school board President Lynn Chervenka told The Board President Brandon Storm told Schmidt the board appreciated his service and the properties along Elk City News last month that the bond issue centered on financial acumen he brought to the board. Route 66 in Canute. accommodating growth. “Everybody has a spot, and you fit in a good spot and we appreciate you coming on and Staff photo by Don “Our board wants to keep building our community,” he serving, and we hate to lose you,” Storm said. Munsch. said. “Our school is for our kids and our community. You Elk City Public Schools Superintendent Rick Garrison said the district had 60 days to lose that school, you lose that community. People won’t appoint someone to Schmidt’s seat. Anyone interested in the board seat has to undergo an want to come to your com- application process and comply with some regulations to qualify to be a board member. ual Elk 46th An n He also thanked Schmidt for his service. See Canute page 2. See Board seat page 5. City Fall Festival The 46th Annual Elk City Fall Festival will be held on Sept. 21-22 at the Elk City Convention Center at 1016 Leadership Hall of Fame to induct new members East Airport Industrial Road. Event hours on are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sept. 21 and noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 22, according to the sponsor, Elk City Chamber of Commerce, Admission is free. Billed as the largest arts & crafts show in Western Okla- homa, the event, as was the case in years past, will fea- ture artists and crafts people who will be displaying their items for purchase throughout the entire weekend. “From fine arts, to pottery, to ceramics, to custom-made jewelry and more, the Fall Festival is a terrific way to get a head start on your holiday shopping,” Chamber Execu- tive Director Susie Cupp said in a release. “This is defi- nitely one of our favorite events according to our local residents and the many visitors from around the region ,and the committee does an outstanding job in pulling it all together.” Along with over 150-plus professional booths expected #) at this year’s event, the festival again will include student Keitha Dickerson Gwen Pasby John Cooper West art displays from area high schools, along with food ven- dors located at the giant outdoor food court by the big By Don Munsch, Editor Dickerson was born, raised and excelled in basketball white tent east of the south exhibit hall. The Elk City Leadership Hall of Fame will induct three in Elk City. She played at Texas Tech University and has Those confirmed for the show inclu: new members during halftime of the Elk City-Altus football played women’s professional basketball. She has subse- Elk City FFA Parents Concession, which will be locat- game on Sept. 20 at Big Elk Stadium. quently served as a acollege basketball coach. ed in the North building East room and will be serving Inductees will be Keitha Dickerson, Gwen Pasby and John For her induction, Keitha will be escorted by her parents grilled onion burger plates with baked beans and chips, Cooper West. Warren Watkins and Stephine Dickerson, grandmother Mar- baked potatoes, nachos, chili dogs and their famous The Elk City Leadership Hall of Fame was jointly created tha Evans, uncle Ned Dickerson of Elk City, brother Jamal snicker pies. by the City of Elk City, the Elk City Public Schools and the Dickerson of Garden City, Kansas, niece Daryan Dickerson MMP Concessions will be serving deep fried oreos, Elk City Chamber of Commerce in 2015 with the purpose Elk City, aunts Cynthia Hollindger and Faye Dickerson of corn dogs, curly fries, nachos, cheese on a stick and fresh of showing students how fellow Elk City students have had Bakersfield, Calif., and nephew Elijah Carter. Also attend- squeezed lemonade. successful leadership roles not just locally but also at the ing is her cousin and former teammate Sadiaa Jones of Alva Blue Mountain Smoke will have their BBQ ribs, chick- state and or national levels, said Jim Mason, Elk City Lead- and Keitha’s daughter, 17 year old KyLyn Johnson, who is en, pork, brisket and sides. ership Hall of Fame committee member. senior at Cedar Hill High School. Pacific Brim will be serving Polynesian cuisine along “The three inductees are excellent role models for our Dickerson began her career as an Elkette in 1993 play- with deep fried burgers and fries. young people to emulate and are deserving of this honor,” ing as freshman on the varsity girls’ basketball team under Cravings by Elegant Events will be cooking up its said Lee Litterell, chairman of the Elk City Leadership Hall the direction of Jim McDaniel and Randy Smith. She was grilled stuffed burritos, tacos and nachos, of Fame committee. a member of that 1993 state runner-up team, the 1994 state Rene’s Gourmet will be serving frog legs, fries, coco- Nominations come to the selection committee from alum- semifinal team, Tournament of Champions Champs, and nut shrimp with pineapple on a stick, fiesta chicken rolls, ni and community and school personnel. A public reception the 1995 Undefeated 29-0 state champions. Her team was pulled pork sandwiches, taco salad, funnel cakes, banana for the honorees and their families will be held in the Pio- named as the Daily Oklahoman Power Poll Champs [all nut loafand brownies. neer Center prior to the game. classes] and 1996 State Runner-Ups, and her team earned The Snack Box will include snow cones, candy, chips, “After the induction, we will add their names to the gran- third place in the Tournament of Champions. pretzels, popcorn and nachos. ite monument in Ackley Park just East of the Carousel and In high school, Dickerson was named to the All-Confer- ‘Monaco Express will be serving burgers, loaded fries, south of the concession pavilion,” Mason said in a release. ence Wichita Mountain Conference all four years, All Tour- chicken sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches and “Eventually we hope to create a video kiosk that would tell nament State Tournament team all four years and Tourna- funnel cake sticks. the stories of each of the inductees which might be at the ment of Champion for two years. She was an Oklahoma Also, Sno Way Shaved Ice will be available with its monument or in the hall of the Pioneer Center.” All-State member 1996, Daily Oklahoma Super Five mem See page Fall Festival page 2. Profiles of nominees: See Hall of Fame page 2. Weather Vol. 117, No. 74 Mail delivery View online ‘ TT * tomorrow 89 / 67 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com