Sample ballots for McAlester Public Schools’ Sept. 9 bond proposition are now available to view online and at the Pittsburg County Election Board.
McAlester Public Schools recently launched its new bond initiative, Investing in Our Herd. The plan focuses on enhancing student opportunities, improving safety, and strengthening community pride through vital infrastructure upgrades across the district.
The comprehensive plan invests more than $41 million in vital projects that support academics, athletics, safety, and student well-being, including improvements to Hook Eales Stadium, a STEM classroom with safe room, a multi-purpose locker room, a student training and wellness center, new tennis courts, a new agriculture education building, and improvements to the band building.
MPS on Friday released the following press release regarding the district’s use of money from a previous bond issue:
“McAlester Public Schools is pleased to share an update on the use of tax levy proceeds dedicated to improving school safety, enhancing early childhood education facilities, and completing critical infrastructure upgrades. Between April of Fiscal Year 2019 and May of Fiscal Year 2025, the district has received a total of $3,560,806.40 in tax levy proceeds, as authorized by local voters.
These funds have been allocated in alignment with the purposes specified in the levy, including:
*Improvements in school safety
*Critical facility repairs
*Construction of safe rooms
*Enhancements to early childhood education facilities
As of June of Fiscal Year 2025, McAlester Public Schools has expended $2,933,889.40 on approved projects. These expenditures have been reviewed to ensure they comply with the voter-approved intent. Additionally, a payment of $900,000 was made on July 1st of FY26 to complete the final payment for the Will Rogers Elementary School expansion and safe rooms.
Monthly disbursements of these tax funds continue, with all received revenues deposited into Fund 25, a dedicated account created to manage these resources responsibly. Funds are held in this account until they are disbursed for qualifying projects, ensuring compliance with both the legal and ethical intent of the tax levy.
In addition to oversight by external entities, McAlester Public Schools has an independent financial audit conducted annually. Importantly, there have been no audit findings related to the use of these voter-approved funds. This underscores the district’s ongoing commitment to financial accountability and responsible stewardship of public resources.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Steeber praised the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, stating:
“Our district has taken the responsibility of managing these voter-approved funds very seriously, and I couldn’t be prouder of how our team has followed through on that commitment. We have used these resources to make real, lasting improvements in the safety and learning environments of our schools. Thanks to the support of our community and the diligence of our staff, McAlester Public Schools has delivered on the promises made to voters.”
McAlester Public Schools remains fully committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that all expenditures support the long-term safety, learning environments, and educational goals of the McAlester community.
In conjunction with the release of the state forensic audit report from June 2025, State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd provided the following statement:
“We did not determine that the school district misused any tax money, as we have in other districts,” Auditor Byrd said. “The district simply failed to maintain proper documentation. While that is problematic, it is also fixable by implementing some basic accounting procedures and safeguards. On the spectrum of government mismanagement, these violations are relatively minor.”
McAlester Public Schools acknowledges the findings from the state forensic audit and has taken immediate steps to strengthen its financial documentation and internal processes, ensuring continued accountability and trust with our stakeholders.”
The deadline to register in time to be able to vote in the election was Aug. 15.
Those who wish to vote via absentee ballot have until Aug. 25 to make the request.
Absentee ballots are available to all registered voters, provided they are eligible to vote in the election requested. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot.
The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25. Voters can submit a request using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. Request forms are also available at oklahoma.gov/elections and at the County Election Board office located at 1609 N Strong Blvd. Ste. 200 in McAlester.
Sample ballots are also available to view online at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp and at the Election Board office in McAlester.
More information about the bond issue can be found online at www.mpsbuffs.org/mpsbond