Throwing his support behind Tulsa Public School’s $609 million bond package, former Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum reflected on his great-great grandfather R.N. Bynum, who helped establish TPS in 1899. 

“While obviously Tulsa has grown so much, what I think he recognized and certainly we appreciate is this one value that hasn’t changed in over 100 years,” Bynum said Thursday at a news conference at the Tulsa Regional Chamber offices. 

“And that’s that the surest way to predict the future success of a city is to look at how it is educating its kids. That’s why this is so important.” 

Bynum, vice president of community and government affairs for Saint Francis Health System, was among a group of business and community leaders who spoke in favor of the bond issue, which will go before voters April 7. 

Joining him at the news conference were his wife, Susan Bynum; vice president of the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa; Whitney Stauffer, partner at Narrate Design and board member of the Foundation for Tulsa Schools; Jessica Lowe-Betts, senior vice president at Schnake Turnbo Frank and a TPS parent; and Moises Echeverria, president and CEO of the Foundation for Tulsa Schools. 

“I’ve had a really unique vantage point both as a city councilor for eight years, a mayor for eight years and as a TPD dad, to see the impact that Tulsa Public Schools makes on our city,” G.T. Bynum said. “(The bond package) crosses every party, every race, every part of our city. Every parent in this community wants their kid to have an opportunity for a great life. There is no better vehicle in our city for doing that than Tulsa Public Schools.” 

The bond package for TPS, which has about 33,000 students, is divided into four parts, each of which will be voted upon separately: 

• $276 million for safe learning environments 

• Nearly $201 million for learning opportunities and career development 

• Roughly $105 million for student and staff technology 

• And $27.2 million for transportation 

The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted in February to endorse the TPS proposal, which, if passed, will not increase tax rates. 

“Any of you with kids know the feeling when another adult engages with your child,” Susan Bynum said. “It could be an aunt, uncle, coach, pastor…That investment in your child makes me feel love and gratitude and pride that I had chosen the right village. 

“I feel that very much (Thursday) with this bond package. I feel proud that TPS is investing so much into my child --- and your child, too.” 

Lowe-Betts focused on the enhanced learning environments that money from the bonds could provide. 

“Many of these buildings are more than 40 years old,” she said. “…Keeping these facilities in good working order requires ongoing maintenance and investment. “So, as a parent with a child in the district, that matters to me, and it matters to thousands of families across this district. We want all our children learning in environments where they feel seen, they feel secure and they are supported and able to focus on this curriculum and getting through their education successfully.” 

State law requires bond measures to receive at least 60% of the vote for passage. 

In 2021, more than 70% of voters opted to approve four TPS proposals totaling $414 million.