Calumet voters will soon have the option to support a bond issue for the school district.
The special election for the bond proposition will be held May 13. The proposition is for $6,175,000 to build and/or equip, repair or remodel school buildings. This bond is scheduled to be used for building and furnishing a performing arts and events center.
Bonds can be illustrated like a car note. The borrower – in this instance, the school district, asks to use the principal amount now and repay it later, with interest. This allows the district to build or remodel at today’s costs rather than trying to save up enough money to tackle the project when the money is accumulated. The bond interest would be repaid through property taxes earmarked for the purpose as well as establishing a sinking fund to repay the loan principal.
Usually the bonds are sold to banks, investment firms or other financial based businesses. Those businesses are repaid through the collection of the property taxes marked for the purpose of the bond. They are in addition to existing property taxes.
Investors purchase the bonds through their investment advisers.
The district has previously issued bonds for school transportation, air conditioning at the elementary, technology and kitchen improvements at the elementary school.
The transportation bond was issued in January 2024 and has an outstanding principal of $885,000. The building bond was issued in May 2024 and has an outstanding principal of $2,630,000.
In Oklahoma, school districts must secure a 60% supermajority vote to approve bonds for funding projects.
The deadline to request absentee ballots for the Calumet School Special Election by mail is approaching. Applications must be received by the county election board no later than 5 p.m. Monday, April 28.
Canadian County Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said absentee voting is available to all voters and applications can be submitted several ways. “In Oklahoma, no excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot, and it’s easy to apply! Voters can submit their application online, in-person, by fax, mail, or even email,” said Arnold.
Voters can apply online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/ elections/ovp. Applications are also available at the county election board or can be downloaded at oklahoma.gov/elections.
Arnold reminds voters that only the applicant can submit his or her own absentee ballot application. It is against the law to submit an absentee ballot application for another person.
Voters with questions about absentee voting should contact the county election board at 405422-2422 or CanadianCounty@ elections. ok.gov.
The Canadian County Election Board is located at 200 S. Bickford Avenue in El Reno and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
In Oklahoma, school districts must secure a 60% supermajority vote to approve bonds for funding projects.