On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, elections will be held for members in several school districts within Tulsa County: Bixby, Berryhill, and Sand Springs.

Bixby

In Bixby, Matt Dotson, the incumbent, and Julie Bentley are competing for Office #3. According to Niche.com, Bixby Schools are highly rated with an overall grade of “A.” Dotson has served five years on the board of education. On his Facebook page, Dotson indicates his support for teachers who participated in a labor strike several years ago.

Recently, Dotson expressed his displeasure of concerned parents who took their grievances outside the city limits of Bixby. According to Dodson, this behavior was “shameful and disrespectful, all for attention and to push their agenda.” This “agenda” refers to Moms for Liberty, an organization “dedicated to the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.”

Julie Bentley has been endorsed by Moms for Liberty, Parent’s Rights in Education Committee, and the Tulsa County GOP in this election. Central to her campaign, Bentley states she is “ready to work to increase success and transparency.”

Berryhill

In Berryhill, Dr. James Geiger, (Doc Geiger), the incumbent and current president of the board, and Danny Bean are seeking Office #3. According to Niche.com, Berryhill Schools rank above average with an overall grade of “B.”

Since 2013, Dr. Geiger has served on the board of education in Berryhill. From his Facebook page, Dr. Geiger reveals that he has a conservative worldview.

His challenger, Bean, is a law enforcement officer. Bean’s central motive for seeking office is his having two teenagers and feeling “compelled now more than ever to take an active role in contributing to the success of the school district.”

Sand Springs

In Sand Springs, Rusty Gunn, the incumbent and current president of the board, and Tracy Hanlon are the two candidates competing for Office #3. According to Niche.com, Sand Springs Schools rank above average with an overall grade of “B+.”

Having served on the board for ten years, Gunn is a supportive member in the community and is the pastor of Church that Matters.

Hanlon is an active mother with children in the local schools, and therefore participates in the activities.

When asked about the proposed use of vouchers to allow students to go to a school of their choice, Gunn believes he has no control over the outcome. However, Gunn remarked he was “not afraid of the competition if this becomes a reality,” having confidence in the school system. On the other hand, Hanlon thinks vouchers are a bad idea. According to Hanlon, the public schools would suffer from the lack of funds. Indeed, the vouchers are unnecessary, states Hanlon, because the public schools already “offer the most school choice.”

Tulsa Public Schools was covered in the March 23 issue.