Beacon Staff

Reform for state administrators?

January 10, 2019

Following public outcry about school funding and concern over high administrative salaries, Sen. Ron Sharp filed legislation to make superintendent salaries a completely local decision. Senate Bill 60 would require superintendent salaries and fringe benefits to be paid with only district (ad valorem dollars) and dedicated local funds. The bill would stop any state appropriated…

Gann chairman of Rules Comm.

January 10, 2019

House Speaker Charles McCall announced the chairs and vice chairs for the standing House committees and appropriation subcommittees of the 57th Oklahoma Legislature. State Rep. Tom Gann was named chair of the House Administrative Rules Committee by McCall. “I look forward to this assignment,” said Gann, R-Inola. “This committee can be very effective in making…

Virtual Charter School reforms

January 10, 2019

Sen. Ron Sharp filed legislation to modify several Virtual Charter School laws in Oklahoma. The 40-year retired educator said his bills are an effort to increase virtual charter school accountability and oversight. “There has been public outcry in recent years to improve public education and that includes virtual charter schools where millions of taxpayer dollars…

State treasurer is officially sworn in

January 10, 2019

Randy McDaniel has become Oklahoma’s 19th state treasurer. During a ceremony attended by family and friends, McDaniel was administered the oath of office by State Supreme Court Justice James Winchester on Wednesday morning at the State Capitol Building. McDaniel has 24 years of private sector experience as a financial advisor and banker. He also served…

HUD report claims homelessness decreased in Oklahoma

January 10, 2019

Local communities throughout Oklahoma report homelessness decreased in 2018, according to the latest national estimate by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD’s 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress found that 3,871 people in Oklahoma experienced homelessness on a single night in 2018, a decrease of 7.8 percent since last year….

Stitt names former Sen. Mazzei as ‘secretary of Budget’

January 10, 2019

Gov. Kevin Stitt has nominated Mike Mazzei as the Secretary of Budget, a newly created cabinet position that will require Senate confirmation. As Secretary of Budget, Mazzei will be responsible for preparing and finalizing the governor’s annual state budget, providing oversight of its implementation and giving counsel for the state’s financial strategy. “Mike Mazzei brings…

Vacancy on the Tulsa School Board

January 10, 2019

The Tulsa Public School Board has been looking for qualified replacements for Cindy Decker’s District 5 seat. Decker, who has been a member of the board since 2015, announced her decision to resign late last year after a job as executive director of Educare. She vacated her seat around January 7. Whoever is appointed will…

Agriculture boost was $120 million

January 10, 2019

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center supported food and agricultural businesses throughout Oklahoma in 2018, providing a total economic impact of $120.31 million. “The impacts FAPC has had on the food and agricultural industries in the state are tremendous,” said Roy Escoubas, FAPC director. “From education and training…

104 Thunderbird Academy grads

January 10, 2019

Thunderbird Academy for at-risk youth held graduation services of 104 students in December. Friends, family and National Guard members gathered together for the graduation of 104 cadets from the Thunderbird Challenge Program on Saturday, at Pryor High School’s Hershel Avra Performing Arts Center. The cadets successfully completed the 22-week program that employs a military style…

Frank Keating on Global Holdings

January 10, 2019

(PRNewswire) — Frank Keating, two-term governor of Oklahoma, has joined the board of directors of Global Holdings, an account and payment processing provider to the consumer debt settlement industry. Global Holdings is a portfolio company of New State Capital Partners. Currently a partner with the Financial Services team at Holland & Knight, Keating is also…