Information about a proposed half-cent sales tax to benefit education in Seminole County will be the topic at the Seminole Chamber of Commerce monthly forum meeting on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The luncheon meeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the Haney Center at Seminole State College.

Superintendent of Seminole Public Schools Dr. Bob Gragg will introduce the program and discuss how the tax will benefit the ten public schools in Seminole County, as well as Seminole State College and the District Attorney’s Child Advocacy Project in Seminole County.

The tax is patterned after an education sales tax passed in Pottawatomie County close to a decade ago. That ten-year tax received a 62% approval rate, and last spring was renewed and made permanent by the voters at 74%.

Pottawatomie County Commissioner Melissa Dennis will be a special guest at the forum program. She will be speaking on the structure of her county’s education tax, as well as the physical improvements made with tax collections over the last 9 years.

According to Gragg, funds raised through the collection of the tax will be used for local building projects, transportation needs, safe rooms, technology updates and playgrounds. Funds will be collected and distributed – directly for approved purchases – by Seminole County.

Over 90% of the collected funds will be distributed to the 10 public school districts, based on average student enrollment or membership. Less than 5% of the funds will be provided to Seminole State College for capital improvements and less than 5% will benefit the D.A.’s Child Advocacy Project in Seminole County.

Schools named in the tax proposal are: Bowlegs, Butner, Justice, Konawa, New Lima, Sasakwa, Seminole, Strother, Varnum and Wewoka. Superintendents from several of the schools plan to be present at the Forum to briefly report on their individual proposed projects associated with the tax.

The program will be introduced by Seminole Chamber Forum Committee member Mitch Enos. Enos will also moderate a question-and-answer period following the presentation.

The forum meeting of local civic clubs is open to the public. Cost of the meal is $15 per person.

For more information about the forum program, contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 405382-3640.