On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Oklahoma voters will decide on
State Question 844 (SQ 844), a proposed constitutional amendment that could change how the state reimburses local communities and school districts for certain business property tax exemptions.
As the election approaches, Purcell Public Schools wants to ensure our parents, staff, and community members have straightforward, neutral information about what this ballot measure entails and how it could impact school funding.
What is State Question 844?
Under current Oklahoma law, new or expanding manufacturing businesses can receive a five-year exemption from local property taxes.
To ensure local entities do not lose revenue, the state constitution currently mandates that the state reimburse school districts, counties, and cities for
100% of the property tax revenue exempted.
State Question 844 asks voters to grant the Oklahoma Legislature the authority to set the formulas and reimbursement rates for these exemptions, rather than requiring full constitutional reimbursement.
Removing the 100% reimbursement guarantee creates uncertainty for local school budgets. If local reimbursements decrease, some property-wealthy districts might draw more from the general state aid pool, potentially diluting available state aid for all districts.
Potential Impact on Purcell Public Schools
Public schools in Oklahoma are funded through a combination of local property taxes and state aid. Depending on the outcome of the vote:
Future Local Development:
If new manufacturing facilities locate or expand in McClain County, the amount of tax reimbursement Purcell receives during their initial five-year exemption would depend on the formulas set by the Legislature.
State Aid Allocation:
Any overall shift in how state aid is distributed across Oklahoma's public school system could indirectly influence general operational funding for districts like Purcell.
Purcell Public Schools remains committed to high-quality education for our students, no matter the policy landscape.