A school bond election is a bond issue used by a public school district to fund capital improvement projects, instructional materials and transportation needs. These measures are placed on the ballot by school boards to be considered by the voting public. School bonds require a supermajority of 60 percent of votes to pass.

The election is Tuesday, February 12, 2019. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here for voter registration, absentee voting information and more.

The 2019 bond proposal calls for significant investments in the safety and security of students and staff. In fact, if approved by voters, the bond would ensure that every school in the district has a storm shelter. Additional security measures include interior and exterior door enhancements, protective window film, security camera and alarm system upgrades, perimeter security and health services equipment.

 Several schools would also receive multi-classroom additions, library renovations and parking improvements. Fine Arts is also a key component of the proposal, as many schools would receive new or upgraded facilities for music, band and visual arts programs. Additionally, funding would be maximized by building the art facilities as school storm shelters. Playgrounds across the district would also be upgraded and would also feature shade structures and safe, accessible surfaces for students with disabilities.

 Click here to view the bond resolution, which outlines the projects at each school site.

Projects identified in the school bond proposal were identified as a result of demographic studies, facility assessments and input from parents, teachers, staff and community stakeholders.

Yes. If passed, every school site would benefit from improvement projects. Click here to view the projects listed by school.

Yes. Norman Public School District bond issues are steps in a long-term plan to maintain and enhance excellent educational opportunities. For example, the 2009 bond focused primarily on classroom technology, athletic facilities and the addition of a new elementary school. In 2014, the bond funded secure vestibules at every school, student technology, Freshman Academies and College and Career Centers. The 2019 bond would be an investment in a secure future for all students, as additional safety and security projects would be funded, Fine Arts facilities enhanced and a facility for students who thrive in alternative education built or renovated. In all cases, there are hundreds of additional projects that include upgrades such as new carpet, fresh paint, playground enhancements and more.

If approved by voters, the bond would ensure that every school in the district has a storm shelter. Additional security measures include interior and exterior door enhancements, protective window film, security camera and alarm system upgrades, perimeter security and health services equipment.

We have budgeted nearly $30 million to build storm shelters at schools that do not currently have one. While every school in our district has a designated safe area, there are 16 schools that do not have a storm shelter. If approved, bond funds would allow us to build shelters at these schools. Additional bond funds would be used for security improvements, classroom upgrades, instructional materials, building maintenance, fine arts facilities, athletic improvements, transportation and a new facility for Dimensions Academy.

In addition to roof repairs, furniture upgrades and improvements to heating and cooling systems, several schools would receive additional classrooms. The bond would also allow the district to purchase textbooks, library media materials and instructional technology, while also allowing the district to maintain the iTech program with additional student devices.

Yes. The bond election calls for an increase in the targeted sinking fund millage rate from 26 to 30. This means for a home valued at $100,000, residents would pay an additional $44 per year in ad valorem taxes, which is an additional $3.67 per month - about the same cost as one specialty coffee. It is important to note that the Norman Public School District’s current target sinking fund millage rate falls well below many peer districts (click here for a comparison chart), and the last ad valorem tax increase request for the Norman Public School District occurred in 2001 - the year many current high school seniors were born.

If you have ever had kids in school or were a public school student yourself, people before you helped to fund the schools you and/or your child(ren) attended. Similarly, current Norman residents help pay for the schools we have now and improve in the future throughout the time they live here. As new residents move into the District's attendance area, they assume these taxes as well. Regardless of where you live in Oklahoma, your property taxes will help fund schools in that area. School facilities are a hub of Norman and are often open to all residents for academic, fine arts programs, athletic events, community meetings and other events that bring the entire community together.

 Also, an educated community is a thriving community. Great schools increase property values and safe schools help ensure safe neighborhoods. Young people are our future workforce, homeowners and taxpayers. Their education prepares them for that next step into adulthood, and the stronger their foundation the better their outcomes.

School bonds require a supermajority of 60 percent of votes to pass.

The Norman Public School District offers a unique, life-changing alternative education program to help ensure all students have equitable opportunities to achieve their full potential. Dimensions Academy offers a rigorous education for students at all levels who thrive in alternative learning environments. The accelerated program allows students to earn additional credits each semester. Many of the students who attend Dimensions do so by choice and must apply to be accepted. The program serves more than 300 students each year. 

Dimensions Academy is currently housed in two locations, one that serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade and another for high school students. The current facilities are owned by the State of Oklahoma and cannot be upgraded or remodeled.

 Click here to see how Dimensions Academy changes lives.

The Nancy O’Brian Center for the Performing Arts, which opened in 2004, is a hub of the community. Located adjacent to Norman North High School, the center serves the entire district and features a main stage, studio theatre, scene and costume shops, and an art gallery. The unique performance facility exists to provide students with curriculum-related arts experiences that are not possible in the normal classroom setting. An additional mission of the Center is to serve as a performance and activity venue for the Norman community. While the center was built primarily to house arts events created for and by our students, it is available for outside rentals on dates not already designated for student use.

The 2019 bond issue would allow the district to enhance the 15-year old facility and expand the building to include additional meeting space. In addition to hosting professional development programs, the expansion would provide meeting space for a variety of community groups and organizations. The district office hosts meetings for dozens of community organizations and additional space is needed to serve our educators and the community.

Fine Arts programs across the district would benefit from the bond issue. Additional music rooms in elementary schools, several band room additions and improvements in middle schools and new facilities at the high schools would ensure students have access to upgraded learning environments. In many cases, these facilities would also serve as storm shelters, which maximizes available funding.

If approved, bond funds would allow the district to improve several athletic facilities that are used by thousands of students, families and local sports fans. For example, if approved, bond funds would allow the district to enhance athletic seating areas and resurface the field at Harve Collins Stadium.

At Norman High, funds would provide weight training facility enhancements, baseball/softball infield turf and seating improvements, press box enhancements, competition gym improvements, wrestling room renovations and soccer locker room upgrades. Additionally, lockers and office space upgrades would be provided for the tennis, softball and cross country programs.

At Norman North, the competition gym would receive locker room and office upgrades. Locker rooms for the soccer, tennis, track and cross country programs would be improved and the wrestling room would be expanded. New infield turf and outfield fences for baseball/softball fields would be provided, as well as baseball concession and press box enhancements.

Middle school athletic facility improvements may include refinished concession doors, restroom upgrades in gymnasiums, softball fencing improvements, shade structures as well as various athletic seating improvements.

Click here to view the bond resolution, which includes ballot language.

By law, school bonds and school transportation bonds must be listed separately on the ballot. Combined, the 2019 bond proposal calls for $186 million. Proposition 1 includes capital improvements, instructional materials and technology while Proposition 2 includes all transportation projects.

• Proposition 1: $182.5 million (capital improvements, instructional materials and technology)
• Proposition 2: $3.5 million (transportation only)