Okmulgee Public Schools is asking voters to approve a $17 million construction bond to update several buildings and spaces within the district. 

The district says it would be about a 66-cent property tax increase. 

Tim Taylor, the agricultural education instructor at Okmulgee Schools says they have an award-winning program, but they've run out of space to work and learn. 

The program shut down in 2011 but restarted in 2018. Since then, it has gone from 45 students to 135.

“We just work so hard, especially with the animals, and not just the animals, some people have different SAEs that involve plants or welding," said junior Keira Swayze.

Taylor says because of all that the program is doing, they've outgrown their current space.

If an upcoming bond is approved, the program would be able to renovate two buildings they currently aren't using.

“We have two other buildings right here on campus, that aren’t utilized that used to be the masonry and carpentry programs at Okmulgee high school in the 70s and 80s," he said.

He says the program would be able to create a food science lab as well as animal science space that could give students a hands-on experience with smaller animals, like goats and sheep. 

“We’ve used the facilities we’ve had to its fullest extent, and we just need a little more, we need more access to additional classroom space, additional lab space," he said.

Taylor says no matter what happens with the vote, he's excited to see his students continue to thrive. 

“Getting the text, hey Mr. Taylor I got my welding certificate, and it’s because I started welding in your shop, that sort of stuff makes it worth it," he said.

If approved, the bond proposal would also allow for several other updates, including the football stadium and Dunbar Intermediate School.