Tulsa Public Schools gave a first glimpse at a nearly $600 million bond package Monday night that could go before voters in April — and district officials promise it won’t raise property taxes.
The majority of funds would go toward building renovations, safety improvements, new technology and student programs.
School bonds allow districts to borrow money to pay for large projects, then pay the money back over time through local property taxes. But first, the bond package has to be approved by voters. In Oklahoma, school districts need a 60% supermajority of voters to pass a bond.
The last TPS bond package in 2021 provided $414 million to schools without raising property taxes. The district and the school board agree this one won’t either.
“We’re hoping to put together a bond package that will keep property taxes at a level that’s sustainable to where they have been before,” said Calvin Moniz, TPS board vice president.
The Citizen Bond Development Committee, including 28 district residents, helped shape the bond proposal over the last year. TPS has also hosted several community conversations and surveys in the last six months seeking bond input.
On Monday, the district let the public take a look, sharing a 97-slide presentation with the board. Here’s what you need to know.
If the board approves the package, it would go to a public vote April 7, 2026. It includes includes four propositions, similar to the 2021 bond:
- Proposition 1: $192.9 million for learning opportunities and career development
- Proposition 2: $269.7 million for safe learning environments
- Proposition 3: $103.7 million for student and staff technology
- Proposition 4: $23.5 million for transportation
The biggest chunk of funds, $82 million, would go to building-wide renovations at nine schools and three district sites, including the Enrollment and Maintenance buildings and the Education Service Center.
“Most of our buildings are over 50 years old. Like, that’s astonishing to me,” said Rachel Simpson, a bond development committee member. “They have historical significance and they’re really cool buildings, but sometimes they present challenges.”
These renovations would include rebuilding kitchens and restrooms from the ground up and creating accessible entry and exit ways across the district. They do not include nearly $68 million on HVAC or energy-related repairs or $22 million in roof replacement costs which are planned separately for most TPS sites.
The district would also spend big on technology, with large purchases of new laptops, Chromebooks, digital signage and audio video systems. They’d also invest in safety features, like surveillance, carbon monoxide monitors, mass communication systems and intrusion prevention.
“These are pivotal to the safety of students and staff,” Simpson said. “Using bond dollars to do these things will free up money in the district general fund for other needed items.”
The district also hopes to funnel money into new resources and programs for students.
More than $40 million would go to post-secondary education, creating new “career academies” at all senior high schools to focus on “high-demand” fields, like aerospace, construction and health care, according to the district’s presentation.
Every sport at every TPS school would receive new uniforms. Athletic facilities and weight rooms would get facelifts at every secondary site. Fine arts programs would receive $12.8 million for new instruments and upgrades to auditoriums. A relatively small portion would reinstate driver’s education at TPS and provide smaller vehicles for athletics or after-school transportation.
“This bond is investing a lot in student activities like athletics, fine arts, dance across the district,” said Sean Berkstresser, chief strategy officer at TPS. “Those types of experiences really give kids anchor points and make them excited to be part of their school communities.”
The school board will continue discussing the proposal at its next meeting Dec. 8 — where members of the public can sign up to share their opinions. Here’s our guide for signing up to speak. Early next year, the board will vote whether to call for a bond election and submit the package to the county election board.
“This isn’t the only chance that (the board) or the community will get to really dive in with specific questions,” Berkstresser said, adding the district is still collecting responses to its survey on the bond package.
The board also approved two contracts Monday night: a new master agreement with the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association that’s been months in the making and a three-year contract renewal for Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson. The latter passed 6-0 with board member E’Lena Ashley abstaining.
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