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Tag: Schools

Grimes Elementary School

Decision on vote to close four more TPS schools nears

Tulsa Beacon

Later this month, the Tulsa School Board will decide whether or not to close four elementary schools – a decision that would displace 1,200 children. Superintendent Deborah Gist has recommended the closing of Wright Elementary, Grimes Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary and Jones Elementary. Despite more funding from the state – and a host of other…

Joy Hofmeister is silent on Obama’s LGBT bathroom policy

Tulsa Beacon

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister is refusing to meet in public with a state lawmaker and citizens concerned about an August Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) newsletter that focused on “best practices” to create a “safe and valued climate for LGBT students.” Among other things, the newsletter recommended that Oklahoma schools allow…

Oklahoma School Choice Week is January 26-February 1

Tulsa Beacon

(PRNewswire) – Gov. Stitt issued a proclamation declaring January 26-February 1 Oklahoma School Choice Week. In doing so, he joined dozens of other governors and hundreds of city and county leaders nationwide in recognizing the historic celebration of education. Oklahomans have planned 665 events and activities to celebrate opportunity in education during the Week, including…

Gist wants to close four TPS schools

Tulsa Beacon

In January, the Tulsa Public School Board will likely vote on a recommendation by Superintendent Deborah Gist to close or merge three schools due to a $20,000,000.00 budget shortfall. Gist wants to close Jones, Wright and Grimes elementaries in 2020 and possibly merge Mark Twain Elementary into the Wayman Tisdale Fine Arts Academy. Another part…

Catoosa school vote fails

Tulsa Beacon

A November 12 bond vote for Catoosa Public Schools failed because it didn’t get the required 60% for passage. There were 472 yes votes (51%) and 445 no votes (49%). School officials say they will repackage the proposal and resubmit it in the future.

TU professors cast no-confidence vote over administration

Tulsa Beacon

A recent confidence vote by professors at The University of Tulsa showed a majority have a lack of confidence in the leadership of President Gerard Clancy and Provost Janet Levit. TU’s administration recently began to enact a reorganization plan tagged “True Commitment” and negative reaction to that plan triggered last week’s vote. About 200 faculty…

Law puts cameras on school buses

Tulsa Beacon

A bill allowing law enforcement use cameras on school buses to track down drivers who illegally pass stopped buses went into effect Nov. 1. House Bill 1926, by Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee, and Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, requires a minimum ticket of $100 for drivers who break this law. The law also requires 75% of…

Lawmakers tour Pryor Schools

Tulsa Beacon

State Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, helped welcome other lawmakers to Pryor Public Schools in his House District 8 this morning to get a closer look at the district’s successful workforce development programs offered to students from elementary to high school. “Pryor Schools is doing a fantastic job of preparing students not just for higher levels…

School officials want $220m more

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma State Board of Education wants more tax money. The board approved a Fiscal Year 2021 budget request of $3.29 billion for common education (kindergarten through 12th grade), which includes an increase of nearly $220 million over last year. This year’s request includes an increase of $117.9 million to the state funding formula, to…

Grants to enhance school security

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), in partnership with the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security and its subsidiary, the Oklahoma School Security Institute (OSSI), has received three federal grants of more than $1.7 million to strengthen safety, security and mental health initiatives in public schools statewide. “The Oklahoma State Department of Education and the…