Enid Public Schools is excited to invite the public to a groundbreaking ceremony for Eisenhower Elementary, scheduled for June 18. The event marks the commencement of significant facility improvements designed to better serve the school's students and staff.
The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. just east of the playground on the outdoor basketball court behind the existing school. Visitors will need a base pass for access.
Members of the community, school families, and local leaders are invited to attend as the district celebrates this milestone for the "Home of the Eagles".
The project reflects the ongoing commitment of Enid Public Schools to providing modern, safe, and effective learning environments in addition to strengthening the relationship between EPS and Vance Air Force Base.
The U.S. Department of Defense is funding roughly 80% of the project, $22 million of the $28.2 million project. Representative Chad Caldwell and Senator Roland Pederson secured $5 million in funding through HB 2516, the Military Infrastructure Funding Bill. An additional $800,000 has been secured by the work of George Pankonin with Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission. Construction is projected to be complete as of the spring of 2028.
"We are incredibly grateful for the community's support of Eisenhower Elementary," said Superintendent Dr. Dudley Darrow. "This groundbreaking is more than just the start of a construction project; it is an investment in the future of our students, Vance Air Force Base, and the Eagle family."
The school will have a capacity of 350 students once the project is complete, supporting grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with new classrooms, equipment, learning tools, and exemplary staff. All architecture and design work was led by Ken Corbin and Erin Haney with the architecture firm of Corbin, Merz, and Haney.
Eisenhower holds the designation of Purple Star Campus through the Purple Star Program. The program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and personal challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and keep them on track to be college-, workforce- and life-ready. and offers support to military families. The new school building will retain this designation.
Expected attendees include members of City of Enid leadership and military personnel, including City of Enid Mayor David Mason, Michael Cooper, and Department of Defense representative Jay Sweat.