Enhancing education and facilities for students

In the effort to keep Okmulgee Schools moving forward, last month the Okmulgee Public School Board gave the green light for a vote on a brandnew school bond. This important vote is on the bal- lot for the special elections being held Feb. 13, for the purpose of making improvements worth $17,750,000 across different school sites.

Let’s break down the projects by the numbers:

New Okmulgee Primary School Multipurpose Building with Storm Shelter: $6,970,000 The construction, furnishing and equipping of a new multipurpose building at Okmulgee Primary School, which will also serve as a storm shelter, enhancing the safety of students and staff.

— Harmon Football Stadium Improvements: $6,480,000

Vital upgrades to Harmon Stadium, including new bleachers, resurfacing of the track and replacement of the field turf. These improvements are essential for creating a better sporting environment for the students and the community.

— Dunbar Intermediate School Site Enhancements: $1,740,000 Renovations to the Special Needs classroom at Dunbar School, along with repairs to the parking lot, which has experienced significant damage. The project also includes the replacement of tennis courts and the installation of lighting.

— Okmulgee Primary School Roof Replacement: $1,810,000 Acquisition and installation of a new roof at Okmulgee Primary School, ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment.

— Okmulgee High School Site Improvements: $750,000

Various improvements at Okmulgee High School, including roof repair, replacement or repair of windows and site grading.

— Total Investment: $17,750,000

— Proposition Details

The Okmulgee School District is considering borrowing money through a process called issuing bonds. The amount they are looking to borrow is Seventeen Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($17,750,000), and this will happen in one or more parts.

Here’s what the money is planned for: 1. Construction: Building new parts of schools.

2. Equipping: Getting new equipment for schools.

3. Repairing: Fixing things that need to be fixed.

4. Remodeling: Changing and improving parts of schools.

5. Acquiring: Getting new things for schools.

6. Improving School Sites: Making the school areas better.

To pay back this borrowed money, the school district will collect an additional tax every year. This tax will cover both the interest (like a fee for borrowing) and the actual amount borrowed (principal). The interest on the borrowed money will not be more than 10% per year. The borrowed money needs to be paid back over ten years, in parts.

This decision is essential for making our schools better. It’s like taking a loan to make improvements so that students can have a better place to learn. The school district wants to know if people agree with this plan, and it requires more than half of the people (60%) to say “yes” for it to happen.

As the community prepares for this important vote, the Okmulgee Times will provide additional insights from school board members and teachers in upcoming editions. Stay informed, for the future of Okmulgee’s education.

— For more information please see the Dec. 20, 2023 edition of Okmulgee Times, “OPS Bond vote…”