Ardmore, Oklahoma – The Ardmore City Schools district has been served with a demand for payment from CWA Group, an architectural firm based in Norman. CWA says the district owes $30,528.22 for work it performed on a proposed new high school and related bond campaign that failed to win voter approval in April 2025.
Background on the bond effort
The district pursued a nearly $144.8 million bond to fund a new high‑school facility and associated improvements. Voters rejected the measure at the ballot box, ending the project and leaving CWA Group with completed design work and stakeholder outreach that remain unpaid.
Details of the invoice dispute
According to an email obtained by CWA Group, the firm invested time, resources and professional services valued at $30,528.22. Invoices were sent to Superintendent Andy Davis in June, but the district has not resolved the balance, according to the firm’s statements.
Board member Jimmy John, who received the email, said the district’s failure to pay “undermines public trust.” He noted that CWA’s work included drawing up plans, meeting with community stakeholders and developing communication strategies for the bond proposal.
Change in district leadership
CWA Group was originally hired under former superintendent Jill Day. The firm alleges that after Superintendent Davis assumed office, access to district leadership dried up, making it difficult to resolve the outstanding invoices. John said, “CWA said they had come down several times to meet with him and they were getting shut out for whatever reason; he would just not meet with them whatsoever. That is unprofessional in my opinion.”
District’s response
Ardmore City Schools released a statement indicating that the matter has been forwarded to the district’s legal counsel for review. The district also rejected CWA’s recommendation of a “quiet bond” – a strategy that would finalize bond terms with minimal upfront community input – calling the approach contrary to the district’s commitment to transparency.
Next steps
A special school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 1 p.m. to address the invoice dispute and any related contractual issues. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the board, district officials and CWA Group to discuss a resolution.
The dispute highlights the financial complexities that can arise when large capital projects are halted by voter decisions. It also underscores the importance of clear contractual expectations and communication between school districts and the firms they engage.
Community impact
Local parents and taxpayers have expressed concern that unpaid invoices could affect future district projects and the stewardship of public funds. Board member John emphasized that “because these are public funds, we’re responsible to the voters, to the stakeholders, to the students of what we’re doing with these funds – and if we’re sitting on invoices or casually not paying them, that’s an issue.”
The upcoming board meeting will be open to the public, allowing community members to voice their perspectives on how the district should proceed.
Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.
