Tahlequah Public Schools operates with funding from a variety of sources, which ensure that the district has the necessary resources to run efficiently and provide a wide range of programs and services to its students. These key funding sources include:
1. Local Revenue: This is derived from ad valorem taxes (property taxes), which include taxes on real property (land and buildings) and personal property (furnishings, business equipment, and inventories). Local revenue makes up 24% of the district’s total yearly revenue.
2. Intermediate Revenue: This comes from the county’s four-mill ad valorem tax, a tax levy on the net assessed value of property within the county. Intermediate revenue contributes about 1% of the district’s yearly revenue.
3. State Revenue: The state provides funding through various channels, such as motor vehicle collections (vehicle registration taxes), state school land earnings, and direct state funding based on the state aid formula. This is the largest source of revenue, accounting for 58% of the total yearly income for the district.
4. Federal Revenue: The district also receives grants from the federal government, which make up 17% of the yearly revenue. These grants fund various programs, such as after-school initiatives, professional development for teachers, and literacy programs for students. However, grants are often restricted in what they can be used for, based on the grant’s specific budget.
5. Activity Accounts: Fundraised money by students for specific purposes is the final source of revenue. These funds help support special activities within the district, such as extracurricular programs and student-driven initiatives.
In addition to these five main sources of revenue, bond funds are an important mechanism for supporting major construction and renovation projects in the district. Bond funds are raised through the sale of bonds to investors, which the district repays over time with interest through taxes collected into the sinking fund. This allows the district to invest in substantial improvements to buildings, programs, technology, and transportation. Currently, the district is in the early planning stages for a potential bond vote in September 2025, and we are gathering feedback and collaborating with the community to plan for future projects.
Through these combined revenue streams, Tahlequah Public Schools can ensure the ongoing growth and improvement of its educational offerings and facilities, setting the stage for a bright future with the continued support of the community.
Sabrina Garner, Director of Finance