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And… I’m elected as the Olive Public Schools Independent School District NO. 017 For Office No. 1 Olive Public Schools! Sort of. 84 votes out of 166. Opponent 82.

The election is still up in the air pending official results.

Thank you SO much for ALL VOTERS in the election. In the last 5 years, I was able to find only 3 elections for Olive School district. The previous turn out has been 72, 164, and 158. This year we have a recent record of 166. Currently 2 above previous record. Subject to change.

Thank you for all who cast their vote for me. I am honored with your trust. May I demonstrate being worthy of that trust.

Thank you for all who cast their vote for my opponent Sarah Amanda Stonecipher. Those who vote got involved for our community, for our children. May I persuade you with dedication and perseverance.

UPDATE – Creek County Election Board will not have provisional ballot results nor official race status until Friday 4/10 after 1pm.

Tina Winford asked the following questions and here was my response –

Tina Windord – I am asking both candidates the same 5 questions. They will be published on FB. I would appreciate it if you would take the time to answer them.

My response –

I would like to thank Tina Winford for amending the previous candidate question post.  She presented the questions in a timely manner and my delayed response was due to a fault of my own.

1. Funding and Resources

“Oklahoma schools often face tight budgets and limited resources. What specific ideas do you have to ensure our district uses its funding effectively while still meeting the needs of students and staff?”

We must list and prioritize facility needs.  We already know about the condition of the school’s plumbing.  I am glad that the current remediation action allowed the school to open once again.  The proposed bond towards facilities maintenance will fully address that issue as well allow up to address critical yet less pressing maintenance needs.  In addition, “a stitch in time saves nine”.  We have several areas of facility maintenance that some spending now will save quite a bit of work and money in the future.  One only has to walk to our main entrance to see weeds in the gutters and rotten wood at the eaves.  Facility maintenance is not glamorous but needed by both students and faculty. We need to be publicly open about the needs and the progress.

2. Teacher Recruitment and Retention

“Teacher shortages can be especially challenging. What would you do as a school board member to attract and retain high-quality teachers and support staff in our district?”

Maintain integrity in teacher treatment and demonstrate appreciation of their work.  As I have always asked my children’s teachers what unaddressed needs their classrooms currently have, I expand that question and offer to the school as a whole.  

3. Academic Opportunities for Students

“How would you work to expand opportunities for students in our district, such as career and technical education, college preparation, or extracurricular activities?”

I will look to invite speakers from the career and technical schools to excite our students about those opportunities.  I will continue and increase being an adult sponsor for school activities.  Though my wife and I were planning on being involved in this year’s Biztown, we were not about to due to too many parents volunteering.  This is awesome!  I’m looking for more events to be involved in.

4. Community and Parent Involvement

“Rural Oklahoma schools are often the center of the community. How would you encourage stronger communication and partnership between the school district, parents, and the community?”

The Olive Board of the Education needs regular communication with the public.  The meetings are open to the public and various documents including the Meeting Minutes are publicly available, but we need to use other methods.  Traditional mail and email does still work but regular School Board announcements need to make it to current social media groups.  That currently is Facebook groups.

5. Long-Term Vision for the District

“What is your long-term vision for our school district, and what steps would you take to ensure our students are prepared for both careers and higher education?”

Retention and growth of student population, and encouragement of continued education for both trade schools and higher education.  In addition to invitations to local career and technical school speakers, I believe it would be wonderful to obtain Olive alumni personal experiences and words of encouragement.  In person accounts would be great but hallways with alumni photos and words of encouragement for the current school generation would be wonderful.

At the March 9th, 2026 Olive Public Schools Board of Education meeting, board members discussed bringing a bond vote before the voters. I fully support their decision to allow the community to have a voice on this important issue.

The proposed $1 million building bond would be used for site improvements, specifically to address the school’s abysmal plumbing system. This issue was already on the scheduled board meeting agenda even before Monday’s school closure caused by a sewage backup — a direct result of the plumbing’s deteriorating condition.

The truth is simple: passing this bond is critical for our school. Without addressing the plumbing system, we risk not having a school at all. The current closure work provides only a short-term workaround and does not solve the underlying problem.

Spending money on plumbing may not be “sexy,” but basic infrastructure must be maintained if we expect our school to continue serving students safely and effectively. As Superintendent Nickels stated, without addressing the plumbing system, the school cannot continue operating. I wholeheartedly agree.

It is also important to understand that this bond would bring the current tax rate back to roughly the 10-year average. This is not frivolous spending — it is addressing a serious need and making an investment in the future of our school and our children.

I appreciate the Board’s willingness to put this decision before the voters and trust the community will recognize how critical this investment is for keeping Olive Public Schools open and strong for years to come.

— Alan Bardgett

UPDATE: I did not bring up the Transportation needs that is expected to be on the same ballot. I do apologize for not putting it in this information. My focus listening to the meeting was on the building funds as my kids have been doing school at home this week due to the issue with the bathrooms and water being shut off during repairs.

Olive School Administration Post –

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C1obJGp6x

VOTE APRIL 7, 2026!

I am excited to announce that I am running for Olive School Board Seat 1. My decision to seek this position comes from a deep appreciation for our schools and a sincere desire to give back to a community that has given so much to my family. Over the past four years, since my wife and I moved into the district, we have become actively involved in learning about the needs, strengths, and opportunities within our school system.

Between the two of us, we have attended numerous school board meetings, community forums, and school events. We made it a priority to listen, learn, and understand how decisions are made and how they impact our students, teachers, and staff. Those experiences have strengthened my respect for the work being done and have inspired me to step forward and offer my service in a greater capacity.

I am asking for the opportunity to serve our school by becoming a member of the board. Serving on the school board is not just about attending meetings; it is about thoughtful leadership, responsible oversight, and being a voice for students, families, and educators. I believe in collaboration, transparency, and focusing on what truly matters—creating the best possible educational experience for our children.

My commitment to our schools is not new. I have proudly volunteered during school clean-up days, helping maintain the safe and welcoming environment our students deserve. I have also been involved in each of the recent Junior Achievement BizTown events, supporting students as they gain hands-on experience in financial literacy, teamwork, and leadership. These opportunities have allowed me to see firsthand the incredible potential of our students and the dedication of the educators who guide them. They have also reinforced my desire to serve the community in an even greater way.

When my family chose to move to this community, we did so because we believed in the strength of its schools. Our children have greatly benefited from the small classroom sizes and the wonderful involvement of their teachers. The individualized attention, encouragement, and care they have received have made a lasting impact on their academic growth and personal confidence. We are grateful for the positive environment our schools provide, and I want to help ensure that every family continues to have that same experience.

If elected, I will work to improve our school district for the benefit of our students, teachers, and staff. That means supporting policies that enhance learning, maintaining responsible stewardship of resources, and ensuring open communication between the board and the community. I believe our schools can continue to grow stronger while preserving the close-knit, supportive atmosphere that makes them special.

I have been in Information Technology for over 30 years, worked 20 years for the same owner of various companies, and have been active in our community these last 4 years. I look forward to serving on the board.

To serve on the board, I need the support and votes of my fellow citizens. I humbly ask for your trust and your vote for Olive School Board Seat 1. Together, we can build on the strong foundation already in place and continue creating opportunities that help every student succeed.

As we have moved from Broken Arrow, Tucson, back to Broken Arrow and now Olive area, I have been a member of a local church as well as served as a volunteer each time.