Owasso launches ‘Be Your Best’ kickoff, trims bond proposal 13% and urges voters to register

Owasso Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Margaret Coates told the school board the district began the new year with a “back to school” kickoff and a new district theme, “Be Your Best,” and said the district trimmed its upcoming bond proposal by 13% while keeping it tax-neutral.

Coates said the kickoff recognized students and staff and that the district received donations and community support for the event. “We are launching a new theme this year, be your best. Relationships are first,” Coates said. She thanked staff and volunteers who organized the morning and named specific events and performances included in the program.

The nut graf: The bond proposal, which Coates described as focused on safety, academics, athletics and the arts, will appear on a September election that requires a 60% supermajority for approval. Coates urged public participation and reminded residents that the last day to register to vote for the election is August 15.

Coates told the board the district reduced the bond package by 13% by adjusting annual expenses, moving smaller projects to a future bond and scaling back some construction work to reflect current construction costs. She said the reduction was accomplished “with no tax increase.” The district has scheduled community information meetings, including an Aug. 26 community meeting in the boardroom and outreach at school events and at the Chamber’s State of Education breakfast on Aug. 19 at the Bailey Foundation.

Coates and district staff also reported operational readiness for the school year. Teaching positions were filled for the coming year, she said, and principals and human-resources staff had completed onboarding. Facilities updates included progress on roofing projects at multiple sites and the near-completion of the Hudson school project, which staff said will open for students on Thursday. District services staff described final punch-list work, new cafetorium acoustic fixtures and furniture installations.

Other operational details noted to the board: 96 dozen donuts were donated for the teacher kickoff; nurses completed CPR and EpiPen training; drivers will practice bus routes this week; and fall sports practices had already begun. Teaching-and-learning staff previewed professional learning community (PLC) work and teacher training scheduled for August and a district collaboration day on Sept. 2.

Less critical details: Coates said district staff had posted bond information on the district website and will distribute materials at school sites; principals were invited to the community events; several contractors (Crossland and GH2) were thanked for work on Hudson Elementary.

The board did not take formal action on the bond at this meeting; Coates asked the community to register by Aug. 15 and to vote on Sept. 9 for the bond proposition.