Improvement, repairs planned for Harmon Field; new facility at Primary

The Okmulgee Public Schools Board of Education approved a resolution last week for an election on a bond issue that will provide much-needed improvements at district facilities, including Harmon Stadium.

The resolution calls for a special election on Feb. 13, 2024, for a bond of $17,750,000. That bond will “be issued in one or more series to provide funds for the purpose of constructing, equipping, repairing and remodeling school buildings, acquiring school furniture, fixtures and equipment and acquiring and improving school sites, and levying and collecting an annual tax in such district for the payment of the interest and principal of said bonds.” Included in bond proposal are projects that include a new Okmulgee Primary School multipurpose building which will include a storm shelter.

At Harmon Stadium, new bleacher seating is desperately needed, along with resurfacing of the track and replacement of the field turf.

Dunbar School is set to have renovations the Special Needs classroom, along with repairing the parking lot which has portions closed off due to major damage.

Here are the details of the projects of which at least 85 percent of the proceeds must be used for the special items listed below:

• To construct, furnish, equip, and/ or acquire a new Okmulgee Primary School multipurpose building with storm shelter – $6,970,000

• Construct, furnish, equip, renovate, repair, remodel and/or acquire improvements at the Harmon Football Stadium, to include but not be limited to: new bleachers, resurface track, replace field turf – $6,480,000

• Construct, furnish, equip, renovate, repair, remodel and/or acquire improvements at the Dunbar Intermediate School site to include, but not be limited to: repair parking lot, renovate special needs classroom, replace tennis courts and install lighting – $1,740,000

• Acquire and install a new roof at the Okmulgee Primary School $1,810,000

• Construct, furnish, equip, renovate, repair, remodel and/or acquire improvements at the Okmulgee High School site, to include but not be limited to: roof repair, repair and/or replace windows, and site grading $750,000

• Total – $17,750,000 — Proposition

Shall Independent School District Number 1 of Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, incur an indebtedness by issuing its bonds in the sum of Seventeen Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($17,750,000) to be issued in one or more series to provide funds for the purpose of constructing, equipping, repairing and remodeling school buildings, acquiring school furniture, fixtures and equipment and acquiring and improving school sites, and levy and collect an annual tax, in addition to all other taxes, upon all the taxable property in such District sufficient to pay the interest on such bonds as it falls due and also to constitute a sinking fund for the payment of the principal thereof when due, said bonds to bear interest not to exceed the rate of ten (10%) percentum per annum, payable semi-annually and to become due serially within ten (10) years from their date?

The proposition contained in this resolution requires a three-fifths (60%) majority for its passage and approval.