(TNS) — A $90 million bond to pay for improvements to Moore Norman Technology Center passed Tuesday by just under 52 percent.
The vote was 3,798 for, 3,537 against.
“We appreciate the trust voters have placed in us and look forward to keeping our community informed as these improvements take shape,” stated Brian Ruttman, superintendent and CEO of Moore Norman Tech. He called it a “tremendous victory” for the community.
Some voters wondered whether the bond needed a supermajority to pass, referencing another state statute regarding education bonds that calls for “three-fifths (3/5) of the voters” to pass an education bond. However, that doesn’t apply to Moore Norman Tech because it is a technology center. It instead falls under a different part of the state constitution specifically for vocational and technical schools.
“Our bond was pursuant to Article X, 9B of the Oklahoma State Constitution which says, ‘… when the indebtedness is approved by a majority of the electors of the technology center school district …’ This is referring to a simple majority,” said Public Communications Director Stephanie Royse.
The school will use the money to renovate existing operations or build new. Officials previously said that they were having to turn away a quarter of qualified applicants because they did not have the classroom space.
Superintendent Brian Ruttman pointed to workforce projections driving the need for expansion.
“If you’re in the construction trades, there’s going to be a 10 percent growth over time, but 42 percent of the current workforce will retire in 10 years,” Ruttman said. “If you look at nursing, in the next 10 years, we’re going to need 12 percent more nurses than we have today,” he said.
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission’s data projects a 12.2 percent increase in demand for Licensed Practical Nurses and a 9.3 percent increase in construction industry needs by 2030.
“Our goal is to have a seat for every qualified student that comes out here. So with that in mind, we’re taking the population increases into account,” Ruttman said.
Industry feedback has consistently highlighted widespread shortages, according to Ruttman. Focus groups with industry leaders earlier this year emphasized critical demands in healthcare and trade positions, he said.
“Our goal is to ensure every qualified student has a seat by 2033,” Ruttman said.
The $90 million will be paid back in 10 years and distributed across three main areas:
- $33 million toward a new construction trades facility and updating the traditional vo-tech areas.
- $25 million toward expanding and modernizing training for healthcare workers.
- $32 million toward the business workforce development training center and construction of safe rooms, with expanded capacity for high-demand programs like cybersecurity, programming AI and aviation maintenance technology.
The proposed solution involves strategic relocation of programs. Ruttman said that shorter programs that last six months or less will move to their South Penn campus to open up space for more students at the location on Franklin road.
“We’re shifting a lot of the shorter duration trainings we do … then reclaiming those spaces here,” Ruttman said.
For taxpayers in the surrounding counties, the 10-year obligation means a 1.25 percent property tax increase. This cost is about $40 per year for properties valued near $250,000. A full chart of property tax increases by home value in the respective counties is available under the FAQ dropdown at MNTC.edu.
Royse provided additional details on the timeline and financials, and said preliminary work will begin in the fall with plans to begin major projects in 2026. All projects are targeted for completion by 2033, with a final deadline no later than 2035.
The bond vote affected residents in Cleveland, Oklahoma and McClain counties within the Moore Norman Tech district that serves Moore, Norman and south Oklahoma City.
“We are grateful to our community for continuing to invest in students and the future of our workforce,” Ruttman said.
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