Deer Creek Schools proposes $153.48 million 2026 bond to add classrooms, facilities; district says no tax increase

A Deer Creek Schools representative outlined the district's proposed 2026 bond package, saying the $153,480,000 proposal would fund a phased high school master plan, new facilities and districtwide upgrades ahead of the Feb. 10 election.

The presenter said the bond would support long-term capital needs and emphasized that "bond funds are legally restricted and can only be used for specific purposes. They cannot be used for salaries or operating expenses." The district described the package as focused on planning for growth, improving safety and supporting student success over the next decade.

Central to the plan is a multi-phase master plan for Deer Creek High School. The presenter described the first project as a 44-classroom building addition north of the Freshman Academy that would anchor future campus work, add larger science classrooms for lab activities and include a new kitchen and cafeteria sized for 1,000 students. The district said the phased work would be carried out across three bond issues so that different cohorts of current students would benefit over time.

The bond would also fund extracurricular and operational priorities, the presenter said, including a larger band room in the performing arts center (PAC) with the current band room repurposed for orchestra, an indoor practice facility intended to reduce weather-related scheduling burdens for multiple sports and a district warehouse at the operations and transportation compound to free classroom space now used for storage.

Other items listed included playground enhancements at five elementary schools, continued annual bond projects such as technology and maintenance, and targeted projects that could be funded by unused 2022 bond dollars if the 2026 bond passes (including Deer Creek Elementary parking expansion, locker room renovations and a temporary update to the high school weight room).

On the ballot mechanics, the presenter noted the election date and the legal threshold for passage in Oklahoma: the district said the measure would appear before voters on Feb. 10 and that a supermajority of at least 60% is required for a school bond issue to pass. The district also stated that, through refinancing and financial planning, "importantly, this bond results in no tax increase."

The presenter framed the package as a response to sustained enrollment growth and district needs: Deer Creek was described as "one of the fastest growing districts in the state," and the district estimated the high school projects would directly benefit more than 650 high school students each year based on current enrollment. The presentation closed by urging stewardship, planning and community engagement as next steps ahead of the election.

The district did not present a formal motion or vote during the presentation; the information was provided as a project and finance overview in advance of the public election.