EHS to get new University Center

ENID — Savings on construction and renovations of schools that are part of a $99 million bond issue ultimately will result in college savings for Enid parents. An additional building not planned for during the bond initiative and election — but needed nonetheless because of growing enrollment — will be funded through savings found so far.  A $6.5 million, 16-classroom, four-laboratory building will rise on the east side of the Enid High School campus to house advanced placement and dual-credit college classes. This, in turn, will allow students to earn college credit for classes taken during high school, saving money on college costs.  Enid Public School officials persistently have said that after making more room for elementary and middle school students, the district will need to find more room for high school students.  “When we ran the last bond issue, I said our next need would be at the high school,” Superintendent Shawn Hime said.  Current enrollment paints the picture of future enrollment at the high school, Hime said. Enid elementary schools have 2,500 students enrolled in kindergarten through fourth grades. In eight years, these will be the students at the high school, a building with a capacity of 1,750 and current enrollment of 1,790.  Amber Fitzgerald, school and community relations director, pointed to the fact high school seniors who take the dual-credit courses during their senior year could enter their college of choice with as much as a full freshman year of credits completed.  “EHS currently offers 22 pre-advanced placement and advanced placement classes, as well as college courses on campus,” Fitzgerald said. More are possible once additional space is available, Fitzgerald said. “It’s a huge savings for families because they’ll have the opportunity to take those classes at the high school,” Fitzgerald said.  Hime said bids for the building will be let in March or April, and the plan is for construction to begin in June. Completion is anticipated in time for the building to open in August 2013.  “Even with the addition of the building, renovation will stay within the timeline,” Hime said.