NORMAN, Okla. (Nov. 28, 2022) – By a 5-0 vote, the Norman Board of Education approved a $353.9 million school bond proposal on Monday night.

The bond proposal by Norman Public Schools features a stand-alone facility for the Oklahoma Aviation Academy at Max Westheimer Airport. It also includes a new multi-sport athletic stadium at Norman North High School and updates to Harve Collins Stadium at Norman High School, along with a new all-schools fine arts performance venue.

A new transportation building for NPS, an animal barn for the district’s FFA program and the creation of multi-use spaces in district high schools for esports and other activities also are in the bond proposal, along with elementary school classroom additions, STEAM classrooms as well as maintenance, and upgrades for every district school site. 

The bond proposal will be considered during a Feb. 14 election. If approved by voters, it would not result in an increase in the millage rate for Norman residents. Projects in the bond proposal were identified through demographic studies, facility assessments and input from parents, teachers, staff and community stakeholders.

“I want to thank everyone involved for the collaboration and forward-thinking planning that has gone into preparing this bond resolution,” NPS Superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino said. “This bond will support the district in its day-to-day operations and provide improvements for our students and staff. These are steps in our long-term plan to maintain and enhance our excellent educational opportunities.”

The total bond proposal calls for an investment of $353.9 million over 10 years at a sinking fund millage target rate of 30. The ballot will feature two separate propositions, as school transportation bond projects are required by law to be listed as a separate proposition on the ballot. Thus, the first proposition, which is for the bulk of the bond projects, is $349.8 million. The second proposition, which is specifically for school transportation items, is $4.1 million.

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 and require a supermajority of 60 percent of votes to pass. Norman voters have approved more than $600 million in school bond funds since 1972.