Following a challenging financial shortfall in recent years, Stillwater Public Schools (SPS) has successfully restored its General Fund balance to a strong position aligned with district board policy.
In late August 2024, the district identified a potential $5.5 million shortfall if no corrective action was taken, with the General Fund balance dipping to 4.29%, well below the 11% to 14% target required by board policy. Thanks to disciplined financial management, significant tightening of expenditure, and higher-than-expected ad valorem revenue, SPS stabilized its General Fund balance at 11.75% by June 30, 2025. Continued fiscal prudence brought the balance to 17.47% as of June 30, 2026.
During the height of the budget crisis, SPS was forced to temporarily pause annual step raises for the 2025–26 school year. With financial stability now restored, the district is taking decisive action to compensate staff and realign pay rates:
Current-Year Step Advancement: Eligible staff members have received their standard annual step advancement for the current school year.
Make-Up Step Restoration: To address last year’s pause, the district is providing an additional step advancement, returning staff members to their proper career trajectory.
One-Time Catch-Up Payment: Staff members affected by the pause will receive a one-time payment approximately equal to the cumulative pay difference from the missed step, plus 20%. This payment also counts toward Oklahoma Teacher Retirement System benefits.
To align with board targets, the district projects an $8.5 million General Fund balance for June 30, 2027—placing the reserve comfortably within the board’s 11% to 14% policy range.
During times of tightened budgets and expenditure cuts, some community members often ask how school districts can continue with major capital projects, such as SPS’s new high school, during an operational budget shortfall. State law governs strict boundaries between different funding sources:
General Fund (Operational Budget): Covers daily operational expenses, including teacher and support staff salaries, classroom materials, and utility bills. Step raises and staff compensation must be paid exclusively out of the General Fund.
Bond Funds (Capital Improvements): Approved by local voters, bond funds are legally restricted to long-term capital investments like new building construction, facility renovations, safety upgrades, technology, and transportation. By law, bond funds cannot be used for staff salaries or daily operating costs.
Additionally, beyond the general fund’s state, Bridges said there have been some exciting developments in the area of bond funds. Stillwater's ongoing growth has increased assessed property valuations and allowed the district to pay off existing bonds faster than scheduled. This growth creates the potential for an interim bond to address pressing needs across district campuses.
While planning remains in early stages, proposed capital projects under consideration include:
Play Space Upgrades: Safer, more accessible equipment at Skyline, turf-enclosed courtyards at Highland Park, and improvements at Stillwater Junior High.
Performing Arts Center (PAC): Sound and lighting upgrades, new projectors, and restroom renovations.
Facility Maintenance & Security: Fencing and sidewalk improvements, along with aesthetic fixes (exterior finishes, paint, ceiling tiles, and LED lighting updates).
Child Nutrition: Modernized kitchen equipment and facility updates.
Parking & Infrastructure: Drainage repairs at the PAC/Fieldhouse lot and back lot upgrades at Stillwater Middle School.
Pioneer Stadium: Sound system upgrades, press box and concourse refreshes, and improved exterior signage and lighting.
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Stillwater Public Schools and the City of Stillwater are set to welcome a visiting delegation from sister city Kameoka, Japan, from Thursday, October 29 through Wednesday, November 4.
This year’s Kameoka delegation includes seven middle school students, six girls and one boy, along with three adult representatives: the Superintendent of Schools for the Kameoka City Board of Education, a Supervising Educator from the Board of Education, and Jacie Gray, Interpreter and International Exchange Promotion Coordinator.
While in Stillwater, the students will attend classes at Stillwater Middle School, tour several facilities in our community, and participate in some fun activities to expose them to American culture. During their stay, the students will reside with local host families, while the adult leaders will stay at a local hotel.
"This annual exchange is one of the highlights of our community’s relationship with Kameoka," said SMS Kameoka Coordinator Jake Ehrlich. "Bringing these students into our classrooms, homes, and local traditions fosters cross-cultural understanding and creates lifelong friendships. We are excited to show our visitors the best of Stillwater and Oklahoma culture."
Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 29: The delegation arrives at Stillwater Airport, and the visit officially kicks off with a welcome dinner at Stillwater High School, attended by current and past delegation families and city officials.
Friday, October 30: The delegates will meet with SPS administration at the Board of Education and visit Fire Station #2 for an interactive experience and official gift presentation with city leaders and Fire Chief Duane Helmberger. Afternoon activities include a hands-on tour of the OSU Engineering Lab, a tour of OSU athletic facilities, campus, a meeting with Pistol Pete, and dinner at Eskimo Joe’s.
Saturday, October 31: Host families will spend the day with the students, while adult leaders travel to Oklahoma City for sightseeing, and everyone will participate in community trick-or-treating and a hayride.
Sunday, November 1: A designated relaxation day features an option to attend a local Japanese Festival. In the evening, past and present delegations will gather at The Hub for bowling.
Monday, November 2: Students spend the day at SMS, beginning with a welcome assembly featuring presentations by the Kameoka delegation and SMS Student Council. Adult delegates will tour Stillwater High School and other district facilities. That evening, the delegation will attend the OSU Cowgirl basketball game.
Tuesday, November 3: After spending the morning in SMS classrooms, students and leaders will tour Kicker headquarters. The day wraps up with horseback riding, followed by a dinner hosted by the Sister Cities Council.
Wednesday, November 4: Delegates will bid farewell to SMS students and staff in the morning before sharing a final meal together on the way to the Stillwater Airport for their late-morning departure.
About the Stillwater Sister Cities Program:
The Stillwater Sister Cities initiative promotes international goodwill, cultural appreciation, and educational exchanges between Stillwater, Oklahoma, and its global sister cities, including Kameoka, Japan. The program began in 1985, and began including a middle school exchange program in 1989.
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Halloween and the end of daylight saving time will collide this weekend, creating a triple threat on Oklahoma roads: more child pedestrians, more impaired drivers and more fatigued motorists.
Just hours after the celebrations wind down, daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks turn back one hour. AAA is urging drivers, parents, trick-or-treaters, partygoers and hosts to plan ahead for a weekend when visibility, impairment and fatigue could converge on streets and highways.
Drivers
Slow down and watch for children near or entering the road.
Put distractions away and stay focused.
Use headlights, even before dark.
Enter driveways and alleys carefully, especially when backing up.
Skip neighborhood shortcuts while trick-or-treaters are out.
Parents and Trick-or-Treaters
Choose visible costumes that do not restrict vision.
Use flashlights, glow sticks and reflective material to make children more visible.
Have a responsible adult accompany young trick-or-treaters.
Stay on sidewalks; if none are available, walk facing traffic.
Cross at corners or crosswalks—never between parked cars.
Look both ways and watch for turning or backing vehicles.
Travel in groups and stay on a familiar route.
Visit only well-lit homes and never enter a stranger’s home.
Fall Back: Stay Rested and Prepare for Earlier Darkness
The end of daylight saving time adds another risk to Halloween weekend. Although clocks "fall back" at 2 a.m. Sunday, late-night celebrations can still leave drivers fatigued, while earlier sunsets reduce visibility for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. AAA Foundation research estimates drowsy driving was involved in 18% of traffic fatalities from 2017-2021.
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Meridian Technology Center was awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration for construction of a new workforce and industrial training facility.
“This grant will allow Meridian to expand its training options and help local businesses develop the skilled workforce they need to grow,” said Alex Evers, Meridian’s Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development. “The facility is especially focused on safety and other workforce training which will help local businesses create over 500 new jobs.”
The new 13,600-square-foot education and workforce training facility will be located at 3605 and 3621 N. Prosperity Lane in Stillwater.
The location will provide nearby employers with convenient access to training that supports employee development and retention.
“Part of Meridian’s mission is to secure economic futures,” Evers said. “This facility will help us carry out that mission by bringing workforce training closer to the businesses and employees who need it.”
Local partnerships played a key role in securing support for the new facility.
“Support from our community partners helped make this grant possible,” Evers said. “We’re grateful for their commitment to workforce development and look forward to the opportunities this facility will bring to our district.”
Meridian Technology Center has been a driver of economic development since 1975.
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The City of Stillwater’s September Tax Apportionment Report reflects August 2026 transactions that were reported to the Oklahoma Tax Commission in September 2026 and apportioned to the City in October.
In comparison to October 2025, the City saw increases in General Sales Tax, Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) Sales Tax, Use Tax, and Transportation Sales Tax collections. For more details, see the attached PDF report.
Go to https://stillwaterok.gov/
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The American Red Cross asks people to book a time to give blood to help keep the blood supply as strong as possible this fall. The seasons may change, but the need for blood is constant. Donors of all blood types are being called on to roll up a sleeve and give hope to hospital patients who rely on transfusions.
While this can be a shoulder season between severe summer and winter weather, it is often unpredictable. When the blood supply is stable, blood products can be moved wherever and whenever they are needed — even in the face of natural disasters. A single appointment could help provide hope and healing for patients in your community and across the country.
Don’t wait. Make an appointment today and keep it on the calendar. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to schedule a donation appointment.
All who come to give thru Nov. 22, 2026, will get up to $20 in Gift Cards ─ that's a $10 Amazon Gift Card by email and 500 bonus points, which can be redeemed for a $10 e-gift card through Blood Donor Rewards!
Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Maze for details.
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