Noble Public Schools is asking voters to approve an $89.9 million bond package on Aug. 25, that would fund a new intermediate school, a fine arts center and upgrades across every campus. District officials say the package won't raise property taxes.
The bond is split into two propositions. Proposition 1, at $86.3 million, covers building projects. Proposition 2 adds $3.6 million for new buses and transportation equipment.
The largest single project: a $42.2 million school for 5th and 6th graders, planned for 28 acres the district purchased in 2025 to relieve crowding. Other Proposition 1 projects include a $9.6 million fine arts center at Noble High School, $9.6 million in classroom additions at Pioneer Elementary, $6.7 million in district administration, technology and nutrition upgrades, $5.8 million in new classrooms at Katherine I. Daily Elementary, and a $3.8 million multisport complex and locker rooms at the middle school. High school athletic upgrades round out the list: $3.4 million for wrestling locker rooms and a football press box, plus $3.3 million for softball and baseball field turf and life safety improvements.
Superintendent Frank Solomon presented the bond proposal to the Noble City Council at its Aug. 17 meeting, according to the council's agenda.
The district says the bond won't increase the tax rate because new debt replaces retiring bonds within the district's existing debt capacity. That projection assumes net assessed property values grow 2.82% annually, according to the district's bond information page. If growth falls short of that pace, the millage rate could rise.
The plan followed five years of study and drew more than 680 responses from parents, staff and community members, the district said. Bond funds are restricted to approved projects and cannot pay salaries.
Both propositions need 60% to pass.
Little Axe also on the ballot
Little Axe Public Schools is asking voters to approve a separate $3.7 million bond on the same day, according to KGOU. That package would fund a new HVAC system at the elementary school, new gym flooring at the high school and 11 buses, including one handicap-accessible vehicle. Unlike Noble's proposal, the Little Axe bond would raise property taxes by 9.98%.
How to vote
Early voting opens Aug. 20, and continues through Aug. 22. Polls are open Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., as we reported earlier this week. On Election Day, Aug. 25, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Oklahoma law requires employers to allow workers up to two hours to vote during work on Election Day.
