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Owasso board OKs $169.18 million bond election, promises no tax-rate increase
Summary
The Owasso Public Schools board voted to call a special election on a $169,180,000 general obligation bond package the district says can be issued without increasing the current tax rate. The proposal reduces scope from an earlier plan and lists security, high school upgrades and elementary arts among top priorities.
Owasso Public Schools officials on Monday approved a resolution calling a special election for Sept. (date to be filed with the County Election Board) to ask voters to authorize $169,180,000 in general obligation bonds, a package administrators say can be issued without increasing the district’s current tax rate.
Superintendent Dr. Coates told the board the revised plan trims the original proposal and reflects community feedback: “We were able to get almost 2,400 responses on this survey,” and “about 62% in favor,” she said, summarizing results from a district survey conducted after a February proposition failed.
District finance staff said the new total is about a 13% reduction from the February proposal and reflects adjusted construction budgets, removed future land-acquisition funds and reduced athletic and facility project budgets. “This amount reflects, as Dr. Coates already mentioned, a no tax increase,” Mr. Philip Storm said, describing the calculation behind the $169,180,000 figure and the schedule for selling bonds.
Administrators told the board they hope to sell an initial tranche as soon as December and would sell additional tranches across subsequent summers — potentially over as many as seven summers — to fund the full program. Staff also described a plan to pursue a lease‑purchase arrangement with the Tulsa County Industrial Authority to access funding earlier in the construction sequence, similar to a 2018–19 arrangement.
Public commenters urged the board to consider alternatives and equity issues before finalizing the plan. Resident Doug Hall pressed the district to analyze a lower-cost “safe” alternative that would prioritize tornado shelters and classroom retrofits at existing elementary campuses rather than building a consolidated grade center, arguing the alternative could be $10 million to $30 million cheaper and lower long-term operating costs. “Please do not buy the grade center without considering the safe structures needed in the long term,” Hall said.
Regina Bogar, a caretaker and community member, told the board she supports bond projects that serve all students and described unmet accessibility needs at recently completed facilities, including the absence of an adult-sized changing surface she expected to be available. “When you ask me to give up funding to go towards sports complexes … please think about all of our students,” Bogar said.
The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution calling the election. Roll call recorded Ms. Mills, Mr. Kessler and Mr. England voting yes.
If approved by voters, project details and dollar amounts will be posted on the district website, staff said, and construction sequencing would begin after bond proceeds are available or through lease‑purchase financing that could allow earlier work.
