Poteau board calls Feb. 11 bond election for $1.23 million HVAC work; approves hybrid virtual academy for 2026

The Poteau Public Schools Board on Dec. 9 approved a resolution calling a special election on Feb. 11, 2025, asking voters to authorize $1,230,000 in general obligation bonds to fund HVAC installations at three campus gyms and related building work, and approved a plan to launch a hybrid Poteau Virtual Academy for the 2025–26 school year.

The board voted to place a bond proposition on the February ballot that would, if approved by voters, raise the district sinking-fund millage so the district can pay debt service on bonds. A staff presenter said the proposal would increase the sinking-fund millage from 11.88 to an estimated 17.69 and described the projected tax impact as “around 6 a half percent,” equivalent to about $6.50 more per $100 in property taxes (about $65 per $1,000 annually, or roughly $5.42 per month) based on current market and assessed-value projections.

Why it matters: District officials said the money would buy and install HVAC systems at the Primary School, Upper Elementary School and Pansy Kidd Middle School gyms, and that at least 85% of proceeds would be spent on those projects. Staff emphasized the district’s limited remaining building-fund capacity and the need to spread capital projects across revenue sources.

Board members also approved several operational items tied to the district’s short-term budget and program plans. The board employed Stephen H. McDonald & Associates as the…