OOLOGAH-TALALA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Dear Oologah-Talala Families and Community,

I wanted to share another update on the progress of our bond issue and the steps we’ve taken over the past month to keep the process moving forward.

1-14-2026
We met with architects, designers, and construction manager to review and discuss schematic drawings of all projects. We clarified several areas of confusion and made changes to reflect the vision of the school.

1-20-2026
The architect was on site to inspect roofs at the HS and OLE to determine scope of work on the projects.

1-29-2026
We met with our architects, designers, and construction manager to review preliminary renderings and to review roofing needs. The preliminary renderings of the HS entry and HS media center are beautiful. We will get digital files of the renderings in the next month or so and will share those out, with the understanding that EVERYTHING is subject to change. The architect, designers, and construction manager walked through some area of the HS for clarification on design ideas.

1-30-2026
The architect met with the school board to present the renderings and to discuss the timeline of the projects. The timelines have not been established as of now. However, the preliminary work for the roofs at the HS and the OLE is close to complete. We anticipate bids will go out in the next month for that work. Discussion for the design work for the auditorium renovations has begun.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we move through this process. I will keep you updated as each step is completed.

With appreciation,

David Wilkins, Ed. D.
Oologah-Talala Public Schools
918.443.6000
david.wilkins@oologah.k12.ok.us

Dear Oologah-Talala Families and Community,

I wanted to share another update on the progress of our bond issue and the steps we’ve taken over the past month to keep the process moving forward.

December 4
Our lead architect was on campus conducting additional imaging of areas that would be impacted by the bond issue and future construction. A significant amount of time was spent in the athletic building, as well as the middle school choir and band rooms. Later that day, we met with our agriculture teachers to review and discuss the scope of work planned in and around the ag building.

December 8
The Board of Education approved a contract with DC Bass Construction to provide Construction Management Services. This is an important step in ensuring the project is carefully planned, cost-effective, and well-managed from start to finish.

December 20
Our lead architect returned to campus to complete additional imaging and data collection in other areas that may be affected by the bond issue.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we move through this process. I will keep you updated as each step is completed.

With appreciation,

David Wilkins, Ed. D.
Oologah-Talala Public Schools
918.443.6000
david.wilkins@oologah.k12.ok.us

Dear Oologah-Talala Families and Community,

I wanted to share another update on the progress of our bond issue and the steps we’ve taken over the past month to keep the process moving forward.

On November 19, the OTPS Board of Education met to sell the first round of bonds. This is the first formal action toward securing the funds that will be used for our upcoming projects. Our financial advisor anticipates that a small portion of those funds will be available in early 2026, allowing us to begin preparing for the initial phases of work.

On November 24, we met with our architects and interior designers for a full walkthrough of all buildings across campus. This was an important step in helping the design team fully understand the scope of each project. We spent the day discussing design ideas, reviewing needs building by building, and documenting the interior spaces through photos and video to support their design work.

Then, on November 26, our lead architect returned to campus to take additional measurements, gather more detailed information, and capture further photographs of several key areas. These details help ensure accuracy as the architectural team develops the preliminary designs.

Much of what is happening now is behind-the-scenes work, but it provides the foundation for the design phase and keeps us on schedule moving into 2026.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we move through this process. I will keep you updated as each step is completed.

With appreciation,

David Wilkins, Ed. D.
Oologah-Talala Public Schools
918.443.6000
david.wilkins@oologah.k12.ok.us

Dear Oologah-Talala Families and Community,

I wanted to take a moment to share an update on the progress of our bond issue. Over the past month, we’ve taken some important steps to get the process moving. We’ve met with our architect to start discussing design ideas, outlined some early timelines for design and construction, set our bond sale date, and met with our construction management team to review roles and responsibilities.

It’s exciting to see the planning take shape, and while much of this work happens behind the scenes, it’s laying the foundation for everything that comes next.

Here’s a look at our projected timeline (with the understanding that these dates could shift as things develop):

• Bond Sale Date: November 2025
• Architect Team Meeting: November 2025
• Project Design Completion: April 2026
• Construction Begins: June 2026
• Construction Completion: August 2027

As we move forward, we’ll be focusing first on the most essential parts of the bond projects like roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, and other critical facility needs that directly impact our students and staff every day. At the same time, we’ll need to follow the established design and construction schedules so that everything stays on track and on budget.

We’re grateful for your continued support and patience as we work through this process. I’ll continue to keep you updated along the way.

With appreciation,

David Wilkins, Ed. D.
Oologah-Talala Public Schools
918.443.6000
david.wilkins@oologah.k12.ok.us