OOLOGAH-TALALA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A: A school bond is a way for a community to invest in its schools. It works like a loan for the school district, approved by voters, that provides funds for one-time expenses such as:

• Building or renovating school facilities

• Purchasing instructional materials and technology

• Improving safety and security

• Buying buses and other transportation needs

Bonds cannot be used for recurring costs like teacher or staff salaries. They are repaid over time with local property taxes.

A: Many community members have asked how our district is able to propose a $34 million bond issue without raising taxes. We want to provide a clear explanation.

Over the past several years, our district has worked hard to manage previous bond issues responsibly. As some of those older bond obligations are being paid off, we now have the opportunity to issue new bonds while keeping the property tax rate, called the millage rate, at the same level our community has been paying for many years.

This means:

• No Tax Increase: If voters approve the upcoming bond, the millage rate will stay the

same as it has been.

• Responsible Stewardship: By timing this new bond as older bonds are paid off, we are

able to continue funding improvements without increasing the tax burden.

• Continued Investment in Our Schools: This approach allows us to maintain and

improve our facilities and programs for students today and for years to come.

Understanding the Millage Rate & Property Taxes

• What is a mill?
  A mill is the tax rate per dollar of a property’s assessed value.

  • 1 mill = $0.001

  • For every $1,000 of assessed value, 1 mill = $1

• How property value is calculated for taxes:

  • Homes are taxed on 11% of their market value

  • Homeowners with a personal residence receive a $1,000 homestead exemption

Example:

• Market Value of Home = $100,000

• 11% Assessment = $11,000

• Less Homestead Exemption = $1,000

• Taxable Value = $10,000

• At 22 mills, the tax is $220 per year

• What is the Sinking Fund?

The sinking fund is a dedicated account where collected ad valorem taxes are held, specifically to repay bonds.

INVESTING IN OUR SCHOOLS BENEFITS EVERYONE

If you’ve ever attended public school—or had children in school—your education was supported by those who came before you. Today, Oologah-Talala residents continue that tradition by funding and improving the schools we rely on. As new families move into our district, they also share in this responsibility. No matter where you live in Oklahoma, your property taxes help fund the local schools in that community.

Our schools are more than classrooms. They are community hubs—hosting academic programs, fine arts performances, athletic events, meetings, and activities that bring people together.

Strong schools benefit everyone:

• They increase property values.

• They strengthen neighborhoods and ensure safety.

• They prepare young people to become the future workforce, homeowners, and taxpayers.

An educated community is a thriving community—and every investment we make in our schools helps secure a brighter future for Oologah and Talala.

School bonds in Oklahoma require a supermajority—60% of the vote—to pass.

That means more than half isn’t enough. A strong majority of the community must come together to approve funding for schools.

For all voter information and applications, please visit the Oklahoma State Election Board website. There, you can:

• Register to Vote: Submit your application online, by mail, or in person. 

• Request Absentee Ballots: Apply for absentee voting if you meet the eligibility requirements.

• Find Your Polling Place: Locate your designated polling location for upcoming elections.

• View Sample Ballots: Preview the ballot for your precinct to familiarize yourself with the candidates and measures.

• Update Voter Information: Change your address, name, or political affiliation as needed.

• Access Election Dates and Deadlines: Stay informed about important dates for voter registration and elections.

Additionally, you can download the Oklahoma Voter Registration Application PDF to print and complete manually. Completed forms can be mailed to the Oklahoma State Election Board at P.O. Box 528800, Oklahoma City, OK 73152-8800. 

If you need assistance or have questions, please contact your local County Election Board or the State Election Board at (405) 521-2391.

Voting takes place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at designated voting locations in your area.

A: No. By law, teacher salaries must come from a school district’s General, Building, or Child Nutrition funds. School bonds are only for one-time costs such as facilities, capital improvements, instructional materials, and transportation. They cannot be used for ongoing expenses like salaries.

Total Bond Amount: $34,820,000

• $33,970,000 Upgrading facilities, technology, and safety, etc.
• $850,000 Transportation Bond

A: The deadline to register for the 2025 School Bond Election is Friday, September 19, 2025. In Oklahoma, you must be registered 25 days before an election in order to vote.

A: Some projects are expected to begin as early as November. Larger projects will first go through a design and planning phase before construction begins.

A: The lease revenue is structured to be paid off in 10 years. However, as property valuations in the district increase, the district gains additional bonding capacity—allowing the option to either fund additional projects or pay off the lease revenue earlier.