Tulsa Public Schools approves $54.13 million in bonds; lowest bidders named

The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education on June 16 accepted bids and authorized the sale of two previously authorized bond issues totaling $54,130,000, awarding the low bids for the district's 2025 bond series.

The board voted to award the $46,500,000 combined-purpose general obligation bonds, series 2025B, to Robert W. Baird & Co. at a true interest cost of 3.145147 percent after municipal finance adviser Jerica Dawson presented the bid results and recommended acceptance. The board later approved a $7,630,000 taxable combined-purpose general obligation bond, series 2025C, awarding that sale to Piper Sandler & Co. at a true interest cost of 4.398064 percent.

The district said the 2025B bonds are from the 2021 authorization and will fund construction and renovation of school facilities (proposition 1, $11,040,000), student and classroom learning technology improvements (proposition 2, $23,355,000), acquisition of transportation equipment (proposition 3, $4,790,000) and acquisition of textbooks, classroom learning materials, technology infrastructure and computer hardware/software (proposition 4, $7,315,000). The 2025C taxable series was described as funding portions of proposition 2 ($1,570,000) and proposition 4 ($6,060,000).

Municipal finance adviser Jerica Dawson summarized the competitive sale results: "This is from the 2021 election authorization and, I'm presenting bids, from Robert W. Baird and Company and this is the low bid with a true interest cost of 3.145147%... We would recommend that you accept the low bid." After the presentations, the board moved and voted to accept the recommendations.

The board's votes on each action followed a consistent pattern: most members voted in favor while one member, Ms. Ashley, recorded a no vote on each bond-related motion. On the resolution to issue the 2025B bonds the roll call was four ayes and one no; the sale award to Robert W. Baird passed by the same margin. The 2025C sale and the resolution authorizing the issuance of the 2025C bonds likewise passed 4–1.

Members of the public questioned the purpose and legality of some bond spending before the votes. Commenter Larry Williamson said the meeting materials did not state the specific purposes for the bond proceeds and urged the board to verify the constitutionality of using bond proceeds for short-lived expenditures. "If there are curriculum or operation expenses in these 2025 B and C bonds, please vote no," Williamson said, citing his review of state constitutional history.

Board members asked about oversight and reporting. Board member Ashley asked how the bond oversight committee would review and publicly report expenditures and project tracking; district staff responded that the bond oversight committee provides readouts to the board and that the district posts project information publicly and plans to increase transparency for future bond reporting.

Votes at a glance: the board approved awarding the 2025B sale to Robert W. Baird and the 2025C sale to Piper Sandler; both authorization resolutions for issuance (2025B and 2025C) also passed.