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slideshow

DURANT – “Building Better Futures” is the new slogan for the Silo School bond campaign, chosen at the March 12 meeting of Citizens for Silo’s Future.

The committee members met to begin preparations for a successful campaign, with two new members joining the effort.

The Voter Registration committee is co-chaired by Katie Brister, Silo Elementary Principal, and Kate McDonald, Silo Junior High/High School Academic Advisor. April 19 is the deadline for voters to be registered in time to vote at a May 14 election, so they are making plans to register as many students’ parents as possible until that date.

“We’ll coordinate to make sure that each family is only contacted once,” Brister said.

Christy Willman, Durant physical therapist and Silo parent, gave an update on the Door-to-Door Committee, which will train and organize volunteers to visit with district residents on the two Saturdays before the election.

“Everyone I’ve talked to who wants to volunteer says they will be happy to do it, but only if they have some direction on what they should and shouldn’t say,” Willman said. Glenn Price, the committee facilitator, assured Willman that the committee will plan a training session and put together educational binders for all volunteers.

Chris Coder, sales associate at Larry Dyson Motors and Fundraising Chairman, told the group that a garage sale will be held April 6, with the location to be determined. Funds are needed to buy signs, T-shirts, pay for postage on mail-outs, printing costs for brochures, and more.

Stewart Mayers, education professor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, shared with the group the brochure he is designing and editing to educate voters on the bond. Price, Silo resident and retired Kroger executive, also shared his list of “Frequently Asked Questions” that will be in a binder of educational materials for campaign volunteers to use when they talk with voters.

Price also shared with the group that Donny Simmons, owner of Push ‘Em Station and Silo School Board member, agreed to allow the group to set up an information booth inside his convenience store. A schedule for volunteers to man the booth will be arranged at a later date.

Members present who were not previously mentioned are Susan Watkins, Silo Parent and Choctaw Nation employee; Kim Mauck, SE adjunct English instructor and Silo parent; Ross Thomas, Silo graduate and SE student; Joseph Badan, Silo graduate and SE student; Katey Rowland, Silo senior; Bo McIlvoy, manager at Southern Oklahoma Development Association and Silo resident; Tonya Parr, Silo teacher; and Bill Caruthers, Silo Superintendent.