Tulsa County voters approved more than $180 million worth of school bond issues Tuesday, with Bixby Public Schools scoring big with its $142.4 million package.
The Bixby package — the largest in the district’s history — was divided into two parts, with each being approved by about 80 percent of voters.
A “supermajority” of at least 60 percent of voters is required by state law for approval of school bonds.
Bixby Superintendent Kyle Wood said he is elated with the outcome of the election.
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“This bond issue constitutes a 10-year plan for our school system, one that provides for our immediate needs and guides into the next decade of growth,” Wood said.
“Bixby Schools has a strong tradition of excellence. Today, the voters have provided us the resources to continue our traditions for the direct benefit of our students.”
The largest project in the package is renovations at the high school, along with the replacement of the main academic building at the campus.
To keep pace with student population growth, the bond package includes funding to build three new sites, schools the district is referring to as West Elementary and West Intermediate and a seventh-grade center on the middle school campus.
Passage of the bond means tax rates will go up in Bixby. Property taxes for a $100,000 home will increase by about $7 a month, or $84 a year, officials said.
Both Union Public Schools’ propositions, for a $27 million bond package, passed by nearly 81 percent of the vote. The package includes funding to build the first phase of a new elementary school, which will be located on 31st Street east of Garnett Road and will be the district’s 14th elementary school. The bond issue will not raise taxes.
Both propositions in Jenks Public Schools’ $11 million bond issue passed by about 82 percent. It includes money for districtwide equipment, safety improvements, technology, textbooks, transportation, and improvements at the middle and high schools. The bond issue will not raise taxes.
Both propositions in Berryhill Public Schools’ $300,000 bond for technology purchases and improvements, as well as transportation equipment, passed by about 89 percent.
Tulsa school board seat: Also on Tuesday, Tulsa Public Schools’ voters elected Cindy Decker to fill the District 5 school board seat. Decker has held the seat since May, when she was appointed to fill the remainder of an unexpired term after former board member Leigh Goodson resigned.
Decker took 87 percent of the vote, beating opponent Stan Minor 1,537 votes to 223.
Decker said she is thrilled by the voter turnout and the result.
“I look forward to deepening my relationships in the community,” she said. “I know that this position comes with deep responsibility, and I take that very serious.
“The quality of our schools is the best predictor of our city’s success. I will do my best to represent the community and to put our children on a path to success.”
Skiatook Vision tax: Also on Tuesday, voters in Skiatook approved a half-cent sales tax for streets. The measure — which passed by 65 percent — will recapture a portion of Vision 2025, Tulsa County’s 0.6 percent tax that expires at the end of the fiscal year. The 15-year tax will be effective from July 1 through June 30, 2031, and is expected to generate $8.137 million.
