The Norman Public Schools Board of Education heard updates on several 2023 bond projects and decided whether to approve the superintendent’s 2025-28 contract during its Monday meeting.
Public comments
The news: The board heard public comment from OU economics professor Cynthia Rogers and OU philosophy professor Stephen Ellis on the Rock Creek Entertainment District and its effect on NPS.
Introduced in September 2023, the entertainment district is a $1.1 billion development set for University North Park. The development relies on funds from a tax increment finance district, or TIF. The district includes plans for an arena with OU basketball and gymnastics as the anchor tenant, retail areas, 500 housing units and office spaces.
In June, the board discussed how the TIF would affect the school district and found NPS would not receive any property tax from the proposed development area.
What they’re saying: Rogers presented concerns about the TIF’s affect on the NPS budget.
“The document that was provided to the statutory review committee, which the superintendent sits on, reflected a plan that was much different than the plan that got approved by council,” Rogers said. “I find that a threat to our school budget.”
Ellis expressed similar concern about the proposed TIF district and the extension of the superintendent’s contract. Ellis said it’s too early to determine a contract extension and said the TIF will reallocate funding directed toward NPS.
“There are very strong reasons to think that those tax increment financing districts will create problems for the budget of the Norman Public Schools,” Ellis said. “There isn't even any advantage to the city because of the way in which the school equalization program works out.”
2023 bond project updates
The news: The board heard updates on bids for Lakeview, Reagan, Washington and Wilson elementary schools and Instructional Services Center bid tabulations.
Improvements to Lakeview Elementary include restroom upgrades, administrative office space improvements and finish upgrades to accessibility features. Reagan Elementary will see renovations to covered walkways, skylight repairs and masonry upgrades.
Updates for Washington Elementary include an added STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — classroom, repainting lockers and new flooring in classrooms. Renovations for Wilson and Washington include upgrades related to the Americans with Disabilities Act and to restrooms.
The Instructional Services Center will also see upgrades to restrooms to comply with ADA.
What they’re saying: Justin Milner, NPS associate superintendent and chief operating officer, and Chris Hoggatt, senior project manager for Miller-Tippens Construction, presented the board with bid updates on the projects.
The construction company received 26 bids, including packages for demolition, concrete, flooring and tile, plumbing and electric.
Hoggatt said he estimates all projects except Lakeview Elementary will be completed by two months into the school year.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the bids with Miller-Tippens Construction.
Harve Collins Stadium project update
The news: The board heard updates on design plans for the Harve Collins Stadium project at Norman High School.
What they’re saying: Mark Kasulis, a project architect and associate with MA+ Architecture, presented design plans to replace both end zones and midfield logo of the football field. The plans also included replacing infield turf consistent with the one in the Norman North High School football stadium.
Kasulis presented plans of a new location for a concession stand below the bleachers. The renovations also include updating paneling to match the school’s orange and black colors.
“It's bringing in the similar elements that are already on that site but also updating it to the look that's been established as the new face of Norman High with that brick and some signage,” Kasulis said.
Milner said the project will be completed in March.
State aid allocation update
The news: The board heard updates on State Aid allocation, which is the process of distributing financial resources from state to local governments, such as school districts.
What they’re saying: Tyler Jones, NPS chief financial officer, said the fiscal year state aid increased by $734,080.47 from July to January due to the weighted average daily membership.
The weighted average daily membership breaks down how much funding a school district receives. For the fiscal year 2025, which runs from July 2024 to June 2025, there was an increase of $320.64.
Local chargeable revenues increased $2,155,286 from July 2023 to January 2024 during the previous fiscal year, and $2,155,023 of the increase came ad valorem, or from property taxes.
“Norman continues to grow, so we expect to see that increase there,” Jones said.
Superintendent employment contract
The news: The board voted to approve the 2025-28 contract for NPS Superintendent Nick Migliorino after executive session.
Migliorino has been superintendent since 2017.
The vote: The board approved the superintendent’s contract 3-2, with board members Office 3 seat Annette Price and Office 2 seat Alex Ruggiers voting against.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza. Gretchen Schultz and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
