We once again find ourselves at the end of a school year that has gone by so quickly. It has been very busy and very productive. I would like to begin by thanking the City of Tahlequah and NEO Health for making the Education Service Center idea a reality. The ESC is our newly renovated board of education office at 100 N Water. This 16,000 square foot facility is already doing what we wanted! Bringing our business staff under one roof to help make the district run more efficiently and helping local non-profit and community organizations work together for the good of Tahlequah! We are SO excited and hope you had the chance to stop by our grand opening in April. If you did not, please stop and see how we were able to renovate and restore the old armory into something we are proud of!
This time last year we were working with large groups of people to plan for the largest bond vote in the history of Tahlequah Public Schools. It was important to us that we represented what students, parents, community members, and local organizations wanted TPS to look like in the future. We were wowed on September 2nd when almost double the number of voters turned out from the last school bond vote and approved both propositions at over a 90% pass rate. THANK YOU, TAHLEQUAH!!
Since that day, we have worked diligently to finalize plans for the items approved on that date. Each and every day I have collaborated with our architect and construction management team to plan for multiple projects that are beginning as you read this. The largest and most extensive projects are designed and beginning to take shape. The field house, bleachers, bathrooms, and concessions for a true Tiger home field have begun and are projected to be completed by August of 2027. Our Tahlequah Middle School storm shelter/band room, cafeteria expansion and bathroom renovations will begin in the next month and should be completed by the fall of 2027 if not before.
Smaller, though no less significant projects will also begin and be completed this summer, Tahlequah High School hallway renovations and improvements to our performing arts center will begin soon. The Sequoyah PK playground is scheduled to have the asphalt removed and sod installed. Awnings to the carline at Heritage are also on the schedule for this summer. The high school track will be renovated in the fall of this year.
Other improvements were funded by this bond with yearly allocations. We have purchased a new band semitruck and trailer that will be delivered this summer. We were able to replace a couple of maintenance vehicles and buy a new minibus for student activities. We have also worked with building principals to determine the biggest furniture needs for the sites. Almost every classroom at TMS will receive new student furniture this summer. THA also will be replacing fifteen classroom sets and the three elementary sites will replace a grade level. Other needs will be taken care of on a yearly rotating basis.
We are so immensely proud to be able to create or remodel facilities that you can be proud of! Our students and staff deserve the best and with your help we are accomplishing that one day at a time!
It is my honor to lead Tahlequah Public Schools. As always, if you have any comments, questions, or concerns, I am available. You may contact me by phone at 918.458.4100 or by email at jonest@tahlequahschools.org. Thank you and remember, “Once a Tiger, always a Tiger!”
Written by Tanya Jones/Superintendent