The voters of Owasso, Oklahoma, will vote Sept. 9 on a $169 million bond issue to fund construction and renovation projects in Owasso Public Schools. The school board accepted the plans in June to send the proposal forward to the voters.
Board members expect this proposal to pass, where a measure failed by a narrow margin earlier this year. This time around, the budget has been trimmed to the point that a tax increase would be unnecessary. The superintendent anticipates these changes, along with a big information push at the beginning of the school year, will help voters choose to authorize the bond issue.
If it passes, the bond will acquire and install pre-k equipment and instructional materials, create and equip a new 5th grade elementary center with two safe rooms for 5th and 6th grades, and add an instructional fine arts center. The bond would also fund improvements to the 7th grade multi-use safe structure, add 8th grade classrooms and create a multi-use athletic facility. Additionally, it would resurface fields and courts and update the façade and flooring of the high school.
District-wide projects would repair and replace roofing, acquire and install updated technologies, and acquire textbooks and other instructional materials. The bond would also fund playgrounds, HVAC and security systems. The district would receive various safety, maintenance and furnishings enhancements as part of this effort.
The two most expensive and extensive projects are the 5th grade center at $61.96 million, and district-wide roof replacements and repainting at $19.75 million.
If the bond is adopted in September, the design phase could begin as early as January 2026, followed by the request for proposals. District leaders target completion of all projects by the 2028-2029 school year.
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