Tulsa County Republican Party Supports Education Accountability
- Communications and Media
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Tulsa Public Schools April 7 Bond Propositions Fall Short of HB 3711 Standards
The Tulsa County Republican Party strongly supports real transparency and accountability in Oklahoma’s public schools. Unfortunately, the Tulsa Public Schools 2026 bond propositions on the April 7 ballot do not meet the accountability requirements spelled out in HB 3711, the important transparency legislation recently advanced by the Oklahoma House of Representatives (79-16 vote).
HB 3711 requires every public school district — including Tulsa Public Schools — to prominently display on their official website the exact percentage of their budget spent on actual classroom instruction, using the standardized national definition from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This clear, voter-friendly information must be easily available before any bond election or tax increase is placed on the ballot.
A Simple Request for Voluntary Transparency Before April 7
If Tulsa Public Schools is asking Tulsa voters to approve a $609 million bond package on April 7, the least they can do is provide this basic level of accountability voluntarily now.
Tulsa Public Schools currently does not prominently display their NCES-defined instructional spending percentage on their website homepage or in an easy-to-find location for voters. The most recent NCES data shows Tulsa Public Schools directing approximately 49% of total current expenditures toward classroom instruction — a figure that has historically lagged both the state and national averages.
Before asking taxpayers for that much money, TPS could immediately post their current instructional spending percentage (per the NCES definition) in a clear, prominent spot on tulsaschools.org. It’s a straightforward, good-faith step that would demonstrate real commitment to transparency and allow voters to make a more informed decision on April 7.
Oklahoma families have watched education spending rise for years while student outcomes — particularly in literacy and core academics — have too often stagnated. Greater transparency is essential if we want every dollar to deliver real results for students.
Moving Beyond Transparency: SMART Goals for Real Results
True accountability goes further than just posting a number. School districts, including Tulsa Public Schools, could use this spending data to set clear, results-oriented SMART goals focused on improving literacy and overall student performance:
Specific: Clearly define targets, such as raising 3rd-grade reading proficiency by a set percentage.
Measurable: Track progress using reliable tools including state assessments, DIBELS reading screeners, NWEA MAP growth scores, and other proven metrics.
Achievable & Relevant: Direct resources toward evidence-based classroom strategies that directly impact teaching and learning.
Time-bound: Establish concrete timelines, such as demonstrating measurable gains by the end of each school year.
Tulsa taxpayers and parents deserve more than new facilities, buses, or security upgrades. They deserve smarter, accountable spending that puts students first and produces measurable academic improvement.
The Tulsa County Republican Party believes every education dollar — whether from the general budget or new bond funds — should come with real accountability and a laser focus on what actually works in the classroom.
Call to Action
We encourage Tulsa Public Schools leadership to voluntarily adopt the transparency standards of HB 3711 before April 7. Show Tulsa voters the current percentage of dollars going directly to classroom instruction. If they are going to ask for that much money, a little accountability up front is the bare minimum taxpayers should expect.
In the meantime, HB 3711 continues through the Oklahoma Senate. We urge all Tulsans — parents, educators, and taxpayers — to review the proposed bond details at tulsaschools.org, examine (or note the absence of) current instructional spending information, and ask how the new bond funds will be tied to improved student outcomes, especially in literacy.
Contact your state senators and voice support for HB 3711 and stronger education accountability across Oklahoma and make your voice heard at the polls on April 7.
What are your thoughts? Should Tulsa Public Schools voluntarily post their instructional spending percentage before asking voters for $609 million more? How can TPS better connect bond funding to measurable gains in student performance?
Share your perspective in the comments below.
Comments