The $10.7 million bond issue proposed to Newcastle voters Tuesday, November 18 could not muster the 60% necessary to gain approval.
The proposal had nearly 54% yes votes for the proposition and 46% against the proposition. While the majority voted to approve the issue, according to State law school bond elections must pass in Oklahoma by a super majority of 60%.
Total votes saying yes for the proposal were 550 while no votes totaled 476. To reach the 60% threshold, the bond issue would have had to receive another 67 yes votes.
A total of 1,026 voters took part in the election.
Newcastle Schools does plan to propose another bond election. State Statute says the earliest the board can file a resolution is 120 days. The earliest it could be called is March 19, 2026.
Newcastle School Superintendent Dr. Cathy Walker said the next available election date after that is June 16, which is also the primary election day in Oklahoma.
“We will regroup. I will pull the bond committee back together and look at the projects that were on this bond, and all the projects on the list for the next 15 years, then decide on what changes we need to make.”
