Voters in the Allen School District will have a decision to make on Tuesday, February 9 ^th , whether to approve or deny the proposed transportation bond issue. If passed it would allow the school to purchase three new buses (one activity bus and two route buses), a suburban, a drivers’ ed vehicle and an Ag truck.

Superintendent Jeff Hiatt said, “Our transportation fleet is worn out and it is not feasible to continue leasing buses like we currently are doing.

“We currently own five buses. Our newest buses are 2015 models and we have two of them. The others are 2008, 2011 and 2012 models. Our two oldest buses are very unreliable and have a lot of wear and tear on them. This will give us reliable buses that we own in transporting our kids to and from school and to all activities. Our suburban, and drivers’ ed car and Ag truck are 2012 models with over 150,000 miles on them.”

If passed, the increase in property taxes would be 1.5%. “This is a very small increase,” Hiatt said. “For instance, if you pay $1,000 in property taxes (yearly) your taxes will go up $15.”

Voting for the bond issue will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all regular voting places in the district.

Absentee voting is also possible. Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 2 ^nd , to be processed in time for the election.

Absentee voters may apply in person at the County Election Board office or may send their applications by mail, fax, or e-mail. An online version of the form may be filled out and submitted electronically at www.elections.ok.gov. Any registered voter eligible to vote in the election may vote by absentee ballot without stating a reason.

For more information on absentee voting, contact the County Election Boards. In Pontotoc County the office is located at 131 W. 13 St., Ada or in Hughes County at 200 N. Broadway suite #3, Holdenville, Oklahoma 74848.