School Shelter Initiative Approved By OK House

A proposal supported by Gov. Mary Fallin to help local school districts pay for safety upgrades like storm shelters and safe rooms has been approved by the Oklahoma House.

The House voted 65-28 for the bill and sent it to the Senate for consideration.

The bill calls for a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow every school district to pursue a one-time increase in bonding capacity for safety upgrades.

The measure is a response to the deaths of seven children in a Moore elementary school that was destroyed by a tornado in May. Fallin has said the proposal is a responsible plan for improving safety and security at Oklahoma’s public schools without the need for new taxes and mandates.