September 2025 Bond FAQs

In short, this proposal will extend the current tax rate, not increase it. It leverages Owasso’s impressive growth and OPS’s careful financial planning to fund much-needed improvements without increasing the cost to homeowners.

Here’s how it works: 

The amount of money raised through a bond is primarily determined by two factors: the value of property within the district’s boundaries and the tax rate approved by voters. Some bond issues ask voters to increase the tax rate; however, Owasso’s September 9 plan asks voters to invest at the current tax rate.

As the value of all property in the district (called assessed valuation) increases over time and previous debt from bond issues is reduced, the district can collect additional revenue for improvements without increasing the tax rate (known as the millage). The money collected is then put in the district’s sinking fund, which is used to pay off the bonds over several years.

School leaders have used conservative estimates for assessed valuation growth and developed a careful financial plan to make this opportunity possible. Based on the extensive research of district officials and financial advisors, no increase in the tax rate is expected to complete the improvements. In fact, because Owasso’s tax base is stable and quickly growing, previous bond programs have consistently impacted taxpayers less than expected at the time of the election. Again, this election is expected to have no impact on the tax rate.

Schools and other entities use bonds to borrow funding for allowable projects and purchases. Property taxes are either increased or maintained at their current level (like the Owasso proposal), and the funds are collected over a set number of years to repay the related debt. 

Schools use bond funds for capital investment projects such as building and improving facilities. In Oklahoma, there is no other funding mechanism large enough for districts to make significant improvements to school facilities –  like this plan will – without asking the community to invest in a bond program.

This plan has been designed to make a difference for students as quickly as possible – and for years to come. Funding from the proposal will be available in late 2025 or early 2026. The design phase of the work will begin in January 2026 with the goal of completing construction/renovations on major projects by the 2028-29 school year.

Owasso school leaders gathered significant feedback from staff, parents, and community members following the February 2025 election, and the new plan reflects priorities expressed through surveys and meetings. School leaders worked to reduce the overall proposal to meet vital needs for students without increasing the tax rate for local voters. 

Proposal changes included:

• Reduced the annual needs budget from 4 years to 2 years
• Adjusted major project budgets due to changing construction costs and prioritizing student needs
• Reduced athletic projects budget
• Removed budget for future land acquisition
• Reduced facility projects/upgrades budget 
• Removed budget for a bus road drive at the 8th Grade Center

The District’s annual needs includes allocations for items in District Services (Operations, Safety, Transportation, Child Nutrition), Teaching & Learning, Technology, and Student Activities that we use each school year. Our ability to use bond funds for these needs allows us to spend the majority of our general fund on expenses that impact classroom instruction. For example, the community’s support of school bonds to fund annual needs has enabled us to create one of the most attractive teacher compensation packages in the state, which attracts top educators for Owasso students.

School bonds are a primary source of funding for capital projects in K-12 schools, including construction, renovation, technology, textbooks, and upgrades. By law, school bonds cannot be used for teacher or staff salaries. Our ability to use bond funds for capital projects and annual needs allows us to spend the majority of our general fund on expenses that impact students in the classroom, including hiring and retaining the best teachers.. 

School bonds help ensure that Owasso students have modern facilities, updated technology, and safe environments, which are essential for a positive and effective learning experience. These school bonds are a long-term investment in the future, as they ensure that Owasso schools are able to meet the needs of students for years to come.

Investing in public education benefits the entire Owasso community, not just families with children or grandchildren in Owasso Public Schools. Strong schools help maintain property values, attract new residents and businesses, and contribute to a safer, more prosperous community. Investing in public education also supports the development of a skilled future workforce that everyone depends on, from healthcare to local businesses.

In addition to providing a home for the soccer teams and other school/community programs such as Special Olympics/Unified sports, lacrosse and Future Owasso Ram (F.O.R.) sports, this facility will include a walking track for the public and serve as green space for 7th-grade students during physical education classes, lunch, and recess.

Yes. Currently, Future Owasso Rams (F.O.R.) uses Ator Field for practices and games. The Multipurpose Athletics Facility, which would be built on the current site of Ator Field, would be open to F.O.R. use as well.

The new 5th Grade Elementary Center will be constructed on the same property as the existing 6th Grade Center, with both facilities located side by side on 129th Street between 76th and 86th Streets.

No. The 5th Grade Elementary Center would be a separate building from the 6th Grade Center.  They will not be interacting with 6th-grade students throughout the day.

A priority will be placed on strategic scheduling to maximize appropriate placement, so 5th -grade students will be with their peers for advanced placement; however, exceptions may arise for students who excel beyond one or two grade levels and require more advanced coursework, such as pre-algebra.

Should the bond receive the required 60% supermajority in the September 9 election, the 5th Grade Elementary Center and Full-Day Pre-K would be operational beginning in August 2028. Students in the Class of 2036 (students who completed 1st grade in May 2025 and are entering 2nd grade in August 2025) would be the first group in the new 5th Grade Elementary Center.

The District is still evaluating different options for the 5th Grade Elementary Center hours of operation. However, any plan will take into consideration families with multiple students at multiple locations and times for drop-off and pick-up will be adjusted accordingly.

By building and opening a 5th Grade Elementary Center next to the 6th Grade Center, the district creates additional classroom space at all nine elementary schools and can accomplish four important goals: (1) expand Pre-K to a full-day program; (2) add an elementary art program; (3) create space for growth at each elementary and (4) create a developmentally appropriate environment for 5th grade students as they transition to the next step of their academic career.

As part of the Long Range Facilities Master Planning process that took place during the 2024-25 school year, District administrators and leaders presented several options to a stakeholder committee made up of parents, community members and teachers. The committee identified the 5th Grade Elementary Center as the best option as it is more cost effective and efficient to build one building rather than adding on to nine elementary schools. This solution also allows 5th graders to have the most supportive learning environment possible – a supportive elementary setting and the opportunity to take advanced coursework, receive targeted academic support, and experience academic enrichment opportunities with their peers. 

As mentioned above, the Long-Range Facility Master Planning committee recommended a 5th Grade Elementary Center as the best path forward for our community. Pre-kindergarten in the nine elementary schools allows students to gain familiarity with their home school and assists with the transition when they move to kindergarten. Similarly, the 5th Grade Center will help fifth-grade students as they begin their transition to the 6th Grade Center, serving as a supportive and developmentally appropriate bridge between elementary school and their secondary school experience.

Full-day Pre-K was identified as a need during the Continuous Strategic Improvement (CSI) process in the 2022-23 school year that included parents, community members, teachers, and District administrators. Owasso is one of the few districts in the area that currently does not offer full-day Pre-K.

Research shows that full-day pre-kindergarten programs greatly benefit young learners when it comes to school readiness, social development, academic outcomes, and becoming better readers by 3rd grade.

Yes. Art in the elementary schools would become a fourth “special,” joining music, computers and physical education. Along with the academic benefits of an art program, adding a fourth special will help keep class sizes smaller in all “specials” classes.

The specific curriculum for the elementary art program has not been chosen at this time. Just like in other subject areas, a team of educators will convene to evaluate curriculum options and select one that aligns with the Oklahoma Academic Standards.

Thanks to the community’s support of the 2022 bond, we have been able to complete critical roof replacements at the OHS West Campus and 8th Grade Center. During the 2025 summer break, crews began roof replacement projects at the 7th Grade Center, Ator Elementary, Mills Elementary, and Hodson Elementary using funds from the 2022 bond. As our buildings age, this maintenance is necessary to maintain a safe and functional space for our students.

The largest roofing project in this investment proposal is a complete replacement at the Owasso High School East Campus. The current roof on the East Campus is original to the building, which was finished in the late 1970s. This bond also includes funding for additional roof replacements and funding for roof repairs throughout the district. 

The Choir and Theatre programs are growing at a rapid rate and are currently located in classrooms on the East campus of the High school. These classrooms are too small to meet the school’s growing enrollment.. The addition will provide classroom space for these two programs, as well as gallery space for the Visual Arts program, on the West Campus. In turn, this will free up the current classrooms on the East campus to allow for additional space and courses, as enrollment continues to increase.

No. The addition on the West Campus would supplement the demand for our 35 performance groups and community needs with additional classrooms and small-group instructional, performance and rehearsal space.

The addition on the West campus will include three classrooms, a 300-500 seat instructional theater, and a black-box theatre & classroom. 

The election will be Tuesday, Sept. 9. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find your polling place by visiting: OK Voter Portal. Bond issues require 60% to pass. Every vote and every voice matters.  

If you would like to vote by absentee ballot, you must request your ballot no later than August 25 at 5 p.m. by visiting: Absentee Voting. Please follow the instructions for returning the ballot carefully. 

Early voting will be available at the Tulsa County Election Board (555 North Denver, Tulsa, OK) and Rogers County Election Board (415 West 1st Street, Claremore, OK) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 4-5.

Registered voters who live within the Owasso district boundaries can vote in the Sept. 9 election, including those who live in Tulsa County and Rogers County. To see a map of the school district’s boundaries, please visit our website.

Individuals who need to register to vote can do so either online, by mail, or in person using the steps outlined on the Oklahoma State Election Board website. The deadline to register to vote in the September 9 election is Friday, August 15.