A $609 million Tulsa Public Schools bond package is now before city voters. Mayor Monroe Nichols publicly threw his support behind it as early voting for the April 7 election opened Thursday.
“This is also an economic development vote that we cannot afford to lose,” Nichols said. “Our strong school system supports the entire community.”
The four-part TPS bond package sits in the ballot box among school board and city council races. It needs 60% approval to pass.
TPS bond elections usually see low turnout, with only 17,630 ballots cast in the 2021 bond election. Still, every TPS bond has passed in the last 30 years.
Nichols joined representatives from the city’s regional chamber, business and faith community Thursday afternoon in a final rally of support for all four bond measures.
“For us to be able to make these investments without raising taxes, you don’t want to miss this opportunity,” Nichols told the Flyer. “If you don’t invest in education, if we don’t invest in these key pieces of our community, the value of everything comes down.”
The majority of bond funds, if passed, would go toward building renovations, safety improvements, new technology and student programs at TPS.
The four propositions include:
- Nearly $201 million for learning opportunities and career development
- $276 million for safe learning environments
- Nearly $105 million for student and staff technology
- $27.2 million for transportation
Tulsa County Republicans have historically advocated against TPS bond packages and encouraged voters to say no to the 2026 package at a separate news conference Thursday. As a group, they pointed to concerns about poor academic outcomes, oversight failures in the bond office and declining enrollment.
Not all agree, however. The organization recently shared a split recommendation highlighting its members who are in support of the proposal.
“The academic outcomes of the district should be a concern of every Tulsan. We cannot walk away, throw up our hands or throw in the towel,” Republican Bob Jack wrote in the post. “Tulsan’s have never walked away from a challenge, and this is no time to walk away from the district hoping it blows up and be rebuilt.”
Early voting continues Friday at the Tulsa County Election Board, 12000 E. Skelly Drive.
Polls are open Tuesday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Head to our voter guide for more information on the TPS bond, candidate races and how to vote.
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