Voters in the Cordell School District voted 190 to 76 in February in favor of a proposed two-year bond that would fund needed upgrades and renovations across the campus.
Key projects are set to become reality as workers prepare to get started on playground and building improvements. Read on as Superintendent Sam Belcher tells more about the upcoming construction.
“As superintendent of Cordell Public Schools, I wanted to share an update with our community on the progress of the 2026 Cordell School Bond Project.
Things have been moving along steadily over the past several weeks. The project was successfully put out for bids in late May, and the bids were publicly opened on June 17 at the Cordell Public Schools administration office. We were pleased to receive a total of 52 bids covering 14 bid packages— an average of nearly four bids per package. That level of interest from contractors is a good sign and helped ensure competitive pricing for the district. At the June 24 Board of Education meeting, the school board approved the lowest qualified bid for each of the 14 bid packages. Since then, our construction management team, Joe D. Hall Constructors, has been working to finalize contracts with the successful bidders and obtain the necessary permits from the State Fire Marshal’s Office. This week, beginning July 13, we expect to see contractors start mobilizing on campus. The first phases of work will include preparing for the demolition of the high school restrooms and the elementary entrance. In addition, the new elementary playground equipment has been ordered, and site preparation is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks before the new equipment is installed.”
Belcher went on to say, “While construction always brings a little extra activity, these projects represent a meaningful investment in the future of our schools. The improvements will enhance the safety, security, and functionality of our facilities while providing updated spaces for our students and staff. We are excited to see these long-awaited improvements become a reality. The overall project is expected to take approximately four to six months to complete. During that time, there will be construction activity on our campuses, and we ask for your patience and understanding as this work is completed. We know there may be some temporary inconveniences, but the end result will be school facilities that better serve our students, staff, and community for years to come.
On behalf of the Board of Education, thank you to the citizens of our district for your continued support of Cordell Public Schools. Your investment in our schools is an investment in our children and in the future of our community. We look forward to sharing additional updates as the project progresses and celebrating the completion of these exciting improvements together.”