Henryetta Public Schools took a major step toward long-term facility improvements after Superintendent Jason Price and project partners presented a detailed no tax increase bond proposal during a special Board of Education meeting. The proposal, set for a public vote on Feb. 10, 2026, includes extensive renovations across all campuses as well as the construction of a new football and track sports complex on school-owned property.
Price opened the meeting by thanking board members for attending and underscored the importance of the day, explaining that preparations for this proposal have been underway since his hiring two years ago. He described the meeting date as a long-planned milestone and emphasized the extensive work, research and collaboration that led to the final proposal.
— Price outlines key points of bond proposal Before turning the meeting over to interior designers and architects, Superintendent Jason Price outlined several foundational points to ensure clarity: 1. No Increase in Taxes – “This bond…is a no tax increase bond, meaning taxes will not be raised,” Price emphasized. He noted that the proposal maintains existing tax levels while allowing the district to make long-overdue improvements.
2. All Current School Facilities Will Remain Price stressed that Henryetta Public Schools will retain all existing buildings, including Cameron Field. However, he clarified that bond funds cannot legally be used on facilities the district does not own, which includes Cameron Field.
3. Facilities Need Significant Modernization Price gave a detailed overview of aging campuses:
• Elementary School – approx. 55 years old
• Middle School – 32 years old
• High School Auditorium – 62 years old
• Cameron Field – used for roughly a century
• Ag Facility – currently functioning only as a barn While architects confirmed the structures are solid, Price said the buildings “need major upgrades” after decades of use.
4. Insurance Funds Are Gone – Improvements Must Come Through a Bond – Upon arriving at Henryetta, Price discovered several untouched insurance claims and used them to fund:
• New high school roof
• New elementary roof
• New HVAC system for the Alice Ghostley Auditorium • Campus-wide paint and cleanup
• New parking lot striping
• New paint for the Dan Edwards Knight Center
• Modernized trash receptacles “Now the table is set for major renovations… the insurance money is now depleted,” Price said.
— What the Bond Proposal Includes
Both the meeting presentation and informational flier detail two major components: district-wide renovations and a new athletic complex.
— Renovation Projects
Renovations would impact:
• Early Childhood Center
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School
• Auditorium
• Band Room
• Ag Facility Interior designers described a district-wide plan focused on simplicity, consistency and durability, ensuring all buildings share a unified black-andgold theme reflecting Knight Pride. Teachers will no longer paint their own classrooms – uniformity will be maintained.
Interior Design Upgrades Include:
• Luxury vinyl tile in corridors and classrooms
• Carpet tile in sound-sensitive areas such as the library and auditorium
• Accent colors to reflect school branding
• Updated wall finishes and fresh paint
• Modern, durable materials for high-traffic use Restrooms – many untouched for 50 years – will be completely updated. Designers noted issues such as lack of hot water, outdated fixtures and worn partitions. “They need genuine TLC,” one presenter said, and board members agreed.
— Blueprint & Structural Improvements
Architects from Principle Design walked the board through updated floor plans: High School
• Completely redesigned front entrance
• New storefront glass
• Removal of outdated structures
• Secure vestibule for controlled access
• Auditorium renovations including:
• Updated stage lighting
• Expanded sound booth
• New large storage area
• Restroom renovations Middle School
• Updated flooring, ceilings and paint throughout
• Renovated restrooms
• Redone trophy cases
• New secure vestibule at the entry
• Gym mostly remains the same, as architects confirmed it is in good condition Elementary School This campus requires the most structural changes.
• Current restrooms deemed insufficient and outdated • Major demolition at the entry area
• Administrative offices relocated and rebuilt
• New secure vestibule
• New reception area
• More restroom capacity
• Updated corridors, library, and cafeteria finishes Price added emphasis: the elementary restrooms “are horrible,” receiving unanimous agreement from board members.
— New Build: Football/Track Sports Complex The bond also includes construction of a new football and track sports complex, to be built on the site of the current school-owned track.
According to the flier and meeting presentations, the complex would feature:
• Turf football field
• 8-lane track
• Bleachers
• Press box
• Stadium lighting
• Video board/scoreboard
• Concession
• Restrooms
• Dressing room
• Weight facility – Price said the location ensures easy access for both school programs and community use while keeping the entire facility on district-owned property.
Price made a direct appeal that long-term viability of Henryetta Public Schools requires investment through bonds.
“Quite frankly … the only true way to impact the school district to the levels needed to sustain itself for years to come … is by passing bonds,” he said. He added that bonds stabilize tax rates and fund improvements far beyond what operational budgets can cover.
Price also noted that multiple surrounding school districts have recently passed sizable bonds – several with tax increases – while Henryetta’s proposal raises no taxes.
“In the end … someone took care of us in the years prior, and now we have the opportunity to do the same for our next generation,” he said.
Eligible voters living within Henryetta Public Schools district boundaries will vote on Feb. 10, 2026.
District officials say additional information will be released throughout the coming months.
