Jenks and Owasso will have bond issues to vote on, while School Board Elections will be held for Broken Arrow Public School Zone 5 and District 3 in Tulsa Public Schools.

The Jenks School system says that this bond issue will not raise the millage. It would be replacing bonds that are phasing out.  However if not voted back in it would lower the millage rate and thus lower taxes.

There are two propositions to vote on in Jenks totaling $19,600,000.00

JENKS PROPOSITION NO. 1

Total $18,950,000.00

Phase III expansion of Freshman Academy classroom space   $8,500,000.00; acquire textbooks and media improvements $880,000.00; acquire safety items and perform safety upgrades district-wide as needed $325,000.00; acquire technology equipment district wide as needed $3,000,000.00; perform Tennis Facility upgrades $1,000,000.00; High School Performing Arts Center improvements $380,000.00; improvements to Trojan Aquatic Center HVAC and Pump Room Mechanical Systems   $370,000.00; district maintenance issues $2,800,000.00;  acquire equipment district-wide   $1,100,000.00; acquire and install copiers/printing equipment district-wide to acquire and install copiers/printing equipment district-wide $480,000.00; bond consultant and financial services fees $115,000.00.

PROPOSITION NO. 2 student transportation equipment  $650,000.00

The Owasso Bond package will raise the millage rates from 28.75 to 31 and thus raise ad valorem taxes.  There are two propositions totaling $197,500,000.

OWASSO PROPOSITION #1

Total: $193,045,000.00

construct, furnish, equip and/or acquire a new 5th Grade Center to include a safe structure   $61,964,952.57; construct, furnish, equip and/or acquire a new fine arts center $20,257,772.95; construct, furnish, equip, renovate, repair, remodel and/or acquire improvements at the 7th Grade Center $9,533,069.63; construct, furnish, equip, renovate, repair, remodel and/or acquire improvements at the 8th Grade Center $7,000,000.00; construct, furnish, equip, and/or acquire a soccer complex $9,533,069.63; construct, furnish, equip, renovate, repair, remodel and/or acquire improvements at the High School $6,971,057.16 construct, furnish, equip, renovate, repair, remodel and/or acquire athletic improvements district wide $5,481,515.03; replace, repair and/or acquire roofs district wide as needed $19,751,328.63; acquire and install equipment district wide $14,167,900.00; acquire equipment district wide to include, but not be limited to: textbooks, instructional materials, fine arts equipment and library materials $10,582,329.48; equipment and perform improvements district wide to include, but not be limited to: security upgrades, fire panel replacements, kitchen equipment, HVAC, flooring, furniture, uniforms, and maintenance equipment $17,317,310.92; construct, furnish, equip, renovate, repair, remodel and/or acquire improvements district wide to include, but not be limited to: awnings, fencing, renovate/remodel classroom(s), parking and/or road improvements, building maintenance and/or repair, and playground improvements $10,484,694.00.

OWASSO PROPOSITION #2 vehicle(s) for pupil transportation $4,455,000.00

This election is the primary for the School Board elections, any position that draws more than 2 candidates goes to the primary election.  If no one candidate gains more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will proceed to the general election on April 1.

District 3 in Tulsa Public Schools covers a large swath of Northern Tulsa including Anderson, Burroughs, Celia Clinton, Felicitas Mendez at Ralph J. Bunche, Greenwood Leadership Academy, Hamilton, Hawthorne, John Hope Franklin and Whitman elementary schools; Monroe Demonstration Academy; Central Middle and High School; McLain High School; Project Accept; Tulsa Met; TRAICE and North Star Academy.

There are four candidates for the District 3 Tulsa Public Schools seat.

Dorie Simmons, 50, who is a former TPS graduate is a real estate agent at McGraw realtors.  She raised her children in District 3 as a single parent and says she has a good perspective on the schools there.  Her platform includes:

  1. Prioritizing what matters most: the success of our students. She understands that improving student outcomes requires a comprehensive approach, including evidence-based teaching practices, robust academic support, and addressing disparities that impact student achievement. By working collaboratively with educators, families, and the community, Dorie aims to ensure that every student in the district receives the resources and opportunities they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
  2. Making board meetings accessible and transparent for all Tulsa Public Schools families, providing clear and timely information on key decisions and policies.
  3. Build a district where teachers, students, and families can all thrive together ensuring that every student, regardless of their background or needs, has access to an exceptional education in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Kyra Carby, 39,  is from Muscogee where she was previously a Muscogee educator and community organizer.  She also has worked as a community engagement manager at Tulsa Gathering Place and Guthrie Green.  She currently works as an administrator for a federal grant to fund genealogical research into the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Her positions include:

Stability and Transparency

  • Building a strong and thriving school district requires our entire community working together. But we can’t get there if we aren’t committed to ensuring that our district is transparent and accountable to all Tulsans.

Strong School Communities

  • Schools are places where all children should be safe, feel welcomed, and know they belong.

Transformational Education

  • Every student who attends at TPS school should have access to the very best education possible.

Brandi Joseph, 49, graduated from ORU  in Mass media and communications.  She has lived in North Tulsa for over 20 years and has worked in the media and entertainment industry.

She has three main areas of focus if elected:

  1. Students- Improve academic outcomes, ensure a safe learning environment and promote community-led support for students
  2. Parents – Promote parents’ rights to be involved and engaged in their child’s education, encourage parent participation in PTA, and ensure parents are continuously informed, and
  3. Teachers – Advocate for teacher pay raises, push to end teacher shortage and protect teachers from district retaliation

Eartha McAlester, 46, works as a teacher and paraprofessional.

Broken Arrow Public School’s’ Zone 5 includes Oak Crest, Rhoades, Rosewood and Timber Ridge elementary schools and the Broken Arrow Options Academy.  There are three candidates running for this office.  Incumbents Jerry Denton, 59; Bruce Allen Lamont, 4;, and Dr.  Kate Williams, 40.

Denton, is in his thrid term on the school board (15) years. He has never faced any opposition before, because he has never drawn any opponents before. He is a graduate of Broken Arrow High School, has had two children graduate from Broken Arrow Schools and currently had two grandchildren in BAPS. A Navy veteran he describes his vision for BAPS as “preparing all kids to be ready for their next step in life.  Whether that next step is college, military, CareerTech, work, or simply navigating life as an adult.” He lists on his facebook page Jerry Denton for Broken Arrow Board of Eduction Zone 5 accomplishments of his 15 year tenure:

  1. Creation of the Air Force JR ROTC
  2. Addition of four high school academies – Vanguard, Virtual, Early College, and Options – to provide parents and students with more choices.
  3. Establishment of Project Pathways program to create a workforce pipeline.
  4. Increasing teacher pay – BA is one of the highest in the state.
  5. Opening an employee childcare center.
  6. Construction of the Performing Arts and Education Service Center.
  7. Creation of mutually beneficial partnerships with the BA City Council and Economic Development Corporation.
  8. Supporter of smaller class sizes; current average elementary class sizes are 18:1.
  9. Creation of The Rose District to strengthen local businesses and provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents.

Lamont is a high school graduate of BAPS.  He graduated from OSU with a bachelors degree in Management Information Systems and works at Melton Truck Lines as a Director of Information Technology. Lamont also owns a small business. He and his wife are raising their three children in Broken Arrow, one has graduated and the other two are still attending Broken Arrow schools.

His focus on running for school board would be to “foster(ing) an environment where every student can thrive and where the district’s educational excellence continues to propel Broken Arrow forward.” He aims to bring the values of growth, innovation, and responsible stewardship to his position as School Board Member.

Dr. Williams or Dr. Kate as she likes to refer to herself, works teaching Composition at Tulsa University and at Tulsa Community College.  She has a PhD. from TU.  Williams started her own business that works with businesses worldwide to create content ranging from website and email copy to white papers, research articles, and full-length books. She is originally from Detroit, Michigan, but has lived in Broken Arrow since 2010.

She is running to represent parents on the School Board as she has 2 children currently in Broken Arrow schools.  She has experience as a school board member at Holy Family Cathedral School Home and School Board.

Her website, drkatewilliams918.wordpress.com states that she has a passion for student success with 15 years of teaching experience, is committed to evidence based recommendations and is the parent of children in the school system. She states that as a business owner and former school board member she can bring a fresh perspective to the BAPS school board.