Voters approve $90 million Moore Norman Technology Center bond proposal
Voters approved a $90 million bond for the Moore Norman Technology Center on Tuesday that seeks to expand access to workforce training.
The bond will expand facilities, modernize equipment and optimize existing learning spaces at MNTC, which was forced to turn away 25% of qualified applicants in the 2024-25 school year due to limited space, according to a news release.
According to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board, 51.69% of voters voted in favor of the bond and 48.31% voted against it.
MNTC serves students from the five high schools in the Norman and Moore public school districts. It operates two campuses: the Franklin Road Campus in Norman, and the South Penn Campus in Oklahoma City.
The $90 million bond will result in a 1.25% property tax increase – about $40 per year for the average homeowner, according to the release
The bond will fund:
A new construction trades facility combining heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical and carpentry programs into one collaborative space.
Expansion and renovation of health programs and facilities, including updating the health building constructed in 1998.
Creation of flexible training spaces for business and industry partnerships.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Election results: Voters approve Moore Norman Technology Center bond
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Nazarene denomination sues breakaway congregation
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A court battle broke out this week after a Nazarene congregation voted to 'spiritually disaffiliate' from the Nazarene denomination. The Oklahoman first reported that the congregation of what was Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene is now called OKC First. The church is located near 4400 NW Expressway. The report detailed that 98% of the congregation that was there during an April special meeting voted to spiritually disaffiliate. The reason for that disaffiliation, according to members, was that the denomination was pressuring them to be less welcoming to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Cleveland County Sheriff says no layoffs needed despite lower budget approval The OKC First Reverand Jon Middendorf posted a letter after the vote that read in part: 'As you may know, OKC First has been spiritually aligned with the Church of the Nazarene for many years. We have enjoyed a shared fellowship and collaborated in ministry, and each of us has benefited from the other's wisdom and friendship. Recently, however, things have changed. In particular, our insistence that God's love is inclusive and welcomes all who seek His grace, and the Church of the Nazarene's opposition to our position, has made it abundantly clear that we must part ways.' 'We were not willing to sacrifice any part of our community to retain a relationship with the denomination,' said Eric Jergensen, Secretary of the Board. Jergensen said that it wasn't an easy decision, but they discussed with just about everyone within the church and outside the church and felt it was the right thing to do. 'People just have a sense of home in that building, and we would not like to lose that,' said Jergensen. The last week of May, the Oklahoma District, Church of the Nazarene, filed a lawsuit against OKC First that claimed the district should get possession of the church's building and property. It's a 196-page suit that includes the Nazarene manual/guidelines in which the district explains it gets ownership of all church properties in the event of disaffiliation. However, OKC First filed an objection this week, including the deed to the actual property. In court documents, they argued, '..the deed makes no mention of or reference to any entity other than OKC First.' Jergensen said that they don't necessarily need the physical building in order to conduct worship, but that it's needed for them to stay in the community. 'We have connections to that neighborhood,' said Jergensen. They work alongside other non-profits in that area that feed the hungry, help find housing for the homeless, and perform many other services. 'We have relationships with those people. We have relationships with the children in that community who come to our after-school program. Those things would be really hard to keep if we weren't in that building,' said Jergensen. News 4 reached out to the district and asked for a response to why the lawsuit is needed. It is with a measure of sadness and deep reflection that we acknowledge the expressed desire of First Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City, to disaffiliate from the Church of the Nazarene denomination. For eighty-eight (88) years, First Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City, has been a valued part of our denominational family, sharing in our common mission, theological heritage, and commitment to serving God and neighbor. We honor the faithful ministry and dedicated members who have made significant contributions to both the local community and the broader denomination. As a denomination, our polity and trust clauses regarding church property are foundational to our collective work and mission. These provisions, established through a democratic and prayerful process over many years, ensure that church properties are held in trust for the furtherance of the denomination's mission objectives. This structure safeguards the long-term ministry of the church, extending beyond any single congregation or generation, ensuring that resources remain dedicated to the kingdom of God as understood by our shared covenant. We understand that discussions around disaffiliation can be complex and emotionally challenging. Our primary concern remains the spiritual well-being of all members, both within First Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City and across our entire denominational family. We are committed to an orderly and transparent process, guided by our established denominational policies and procedures, which are designed to address such matters with fairness and integrity for all parties involved. We extend an invitation for continued dialogue with the leadership of First Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City as we seek to navigate this period. Our hope is always for reconciliation and for the flourishing of Christ's church in all its expressions. We pray for wisdom, grace, and discernment for everyone involved during this time of transition. We remain steadfast in our commitment to our calling: to make Christlike disciples in the nation and around the world. We will continue to support and nurture our congregations across Oklahoma as they faithfully live out our shared Christian witness. Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene Assistant District Superintendent Rev. Dorothy Whipp Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Oklahoma State men's basketball adds Lou Gudino as assistant coach
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State men's basketball coach Steve Lutz added a veteran assistant to his staff Wednesday. Lou Gudino, a 28-year coaching veteran, has joined the program, according to a press release. Gudino spent the last three seasons as the associate head coach at Ball State, following stints as an assistant at Wichita State, New Mexico State and Indiana State. Advertisement 'I've known Lou for many years,' Lutz said in the release.' He is one of the most prepared coaches in our profession and has helped elevate every program that he's been a part of. His eye for talent, knack for player development and deep basketball knowledge will make an immediate impact here. I'm thrilled to welcome him and his wife Dana to Stillwater and the Cowboy Basketball family.' Under coach Michael Lewis at Ball State, Gudino worked closely with the big men, including three-time all-conference center Payton Sparks, who finished his career ranked among the program's all-time leaders in blocks, rebounds, free throws and field goal percentage. A native of Clinton, Indiana, Gudino graduated from Indiana University in 1997. He began his college coaching career shortly thereafter at the junior college level. More: Which Oklahoma State basketball players are coming, going via the transfer portal? Ball State associate head coach Lou Gudino during an open men's basketball practice at Worthen Arena Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. He later became the longest tenured assistant coach in Indiana State history, helping the Sycamores to five straight postseason appearances during his 10 years there. That included an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011 and consecutive NIT bids in 2013-14. Advertisement Lutz still has one vacancy to fill on his coaching staff, following the departures of Jeremy Cox, who returned to UTEP, and Mike Ekanem, who was hired at Houston. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State men's basketball adds Lou Gudino as assistant coach
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Oklahoma State men's basketball adds Dana Valentine to coaching staff
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State men's basketball coach Steve Lutz completed his staff with the addition of Dana Valentine, as reported Tuesday. Valentine comes to the Cowboys after serving as an assistant at St. Bonaventure the past two seasons, his first in college basketball. His hiring was first reported by Jeff Goodman of Field of 68. Advertisement Valentine, who was a running back in college at Worcester (Massachusetts) State University, began his basketball coaching career at Notre Dame Prep, as well as with the AAU New England. From 2018-23, he was the varsity head coach and an assistant on the prep team at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut — the same school that produced OSU incoming freshman center Ben Ahmed. The addition of Valentine fills the final vacancy on Lutz's staff after two coaches departed in recent weeks. Lutz also added Lou Gudino from Ball State last week. More: Oklahoma State men's golf rallies past Virginia to win 12th NCAA championship Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@ or on Twitter at @ScottWrightOK . Support Scott's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at . This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State men's basketball adds Dana Valentine to coaching staff
