Lomega Lesson:

Austin Snowden had an exam last Tuesday morning in his astronomy class at Southwestern Oklahoma State.

But his thoughts were on his high school alma mater.

Voters in the Lomega school district that day were being asked to pass a $15.4 million bond issue to build a new high school and remodel the elementary gymnasium.

Austin asked his father, Mark Snowden, the CEO of Cimarron Electric Cooperative and a Lomega High School graduate, if he thought the bond would pass with the necessary 60 percent approval.

“I think it’s going to be really close,” Mark told his son.

Austin opted to stay at home Monday night, get up early to vote in favor of the bond issue, then drive to Weatherford for his exam.

That decision could have been the difference between passage and failure.

With one provisional vote still lurking in Blaine County, the bond received 123 “yes” votes and 81 against it.

That gives the measure a 60.29 percent approval. If the provisional vote is accepted and is against the measure, it will put the approval at exactly 60 percent, just enough to pass.

Election results were to be certified at the Kingfisher County Election Board late Friday afternoon after press time.

Whether the final tally is 123-81 or 123-82, the fact will remain that every vote counted.

“If Austin didn’t vote, it might not have passed,” Mark noted. “I think that’s a great lesson for our kids. Voting is important and it matters, especially in smaller communities and school districts. It’s a great lesson and what a great reward for them.”

Lomega Superintendent Steve Shiever was at the election board office late into Tuesday night, eagerly awaiting the news from each precinct.

“I’d just like to thank everyone who came out to vote and supported our students,” he said.

Of the 204 total votes cast, 178 were in Kingfisher County. Of those, 106, or 59.55 percent, voted in favor. That amount alone was one “yes” vote shy of the super-majority necessary to pass.

However, the 26 Blaine County voters came through for the school district. Of those, 17 voted in favor.

Shiever said there are multiple stories similar to that of Austin’s.

“There were several instances where we had someone who almost didn’t vote, but eventually did,” Shiever said. “That’s what pushed it over the top. There’s no doubt that every vote counts.”

Shiever said the board of education will call for a resolution to sell the bonds at its April meeting. They’ll vote to sell those bonds in May.

“We’re hoping dirt work can begin in July,” he said. The new facility will be built just south of the current structure in Omega.