Campaign Begins For Tulsa Public Schools' $354 Million Bond Issue

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa Public Schools has a big bond issue coming up on March 2.  The $354 Million bond issue, if approved, will be used to repair and renovate dozens of buildings - and update textbooks and technology for every student in the district.

Every campus will get a different sized piece of the pie. At Carver Middle School, it would mean about $600,000 for new textbooks and classroom equipment.

Tulsa Public Schools hopes to continue a 20-year improvement plan with the next bond issue. It would cover lots of bases - like rebuilding the kitchen and lunchroom at Lee Elementary - one of the oldest buildings in the district.

It's the rare school bond issue that doesn't include a brand new school.

Dr. Keith Ballard, Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, is out speaking to the public on the bond, pushing the message that it would not raise property taxes. The bond issue is $354 million.

It's divided between building repairs and additions at $261 million. Textbooks and technology would costs $61 million. Library renovations and books would cost $19 million, and the district wants to spend $11 million on new buses.

The bond money would pay for some major projects, like $19 million for a total renovation of East Central High School, upgrades for their athletic complex, and new equipment, and textbooks for the school.

At Wilson Middle School, the total spending would be almost $1 million, ranging from new books - to new windows for the school.

All this bond money is separate from the daily operations money that comes through state government.

1/27/2010 Related Story: One Hundred Tulsa Public Schools Employees To Learn Of Job Loss