House Committee Passes Senate’s State Board of Education Reform

Today the House Common Education Committee amended SB 435 which would allow the governor to appoint the members of the State Board of Education. The Common Ed Committee approved SB 435 by a vote of 11 - 4.

“Today’s committee vote demonstrates the House and Senate are dedicated to reforming the State Board of Education’s composition,” stated House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee. “We must implement checks and balances within the Department of Education by creating a structure that will ensure the best interest of Oklahoma’s children will be met.”

Senate Bill 435 provides that governor will appoint one member from each congressional district and one member from the state at-large to the seven-member State Board of Education. Terms will be four years and each member will serve at the pleasure of the governor.

Under the terms of the bill, the governor must make new appointments to the Board by August 1, 2011.

NEXT STEP:
The measure now moves to the House floor.

"Tim Gilpin’s description of recent State Board meeting a classic in 'Photoshop' history"

Dr. Janet Barresi
State Superintendent

State Superintendent Janet Barresi writes in the Oklahoma Gazette this week: 

"The recent meeting (of the State Board of Education) was not only dominated by the partisan obstruction of board members, but also by the misogynist actions of Herb Rozell and Gilpin."

Barresi says Gilpin wanted to act in secret: 

"As he admits in his column, Gilpin wanted to conduct personnel issues in secret, behind closed doors in executive session, and I refused to allow him to hide behind a veil of secrecy." 

Barresi provides history of hiring decisions by the State Board of Education: 

"Over the past five years, 88 percent of Department of Education employees were put on the state payroll without prior review by the board. In fact, 37 percent of employees were never submitted for board approval at all. It is clear the board has suddenly decided to actively obstruct my ability to perform my duties as State Superintendent, which I assume has to do with my party affiliation."

Barresi requests AG investigation into possible open meeting law violations by Board

The Tulsa World is reporting that State Superintendent Janet Barresi is requesting that Attorney General Scott Pruitt investigate the possibility that board members violated the State's open meeting law.

I noted in my statement last week that, "Clearly they (the board members) had organized this effort before yesterday’s meeting in a pathetic attempt to embarrass Superintendent Barresi." I'm aware that Tim Gilpin has been attempting to frustrate Barresi beginning soon after the elections.

Gilpin was reportedly a financial contributor to Barresi's opponent. It's important that we not allow a few sore losers to negatively impact such an important agency.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110129_19_A1_StateS86354

Information about the Members of the State Board of Education

Tim Gilpin

Tim Gilpin, Tulsa
Represents Congressional District 1. Tim was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated Cascia Hall High School in 1979, and earned a B.A. degree from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. in 1983. He attended law school at the University of Tulsa College of Law obtaining a J.D. degree in 1986. Tim worked his way through college and law school. After law school and working in several Tulsa law firms, he was honored when asked to serve Oklahoma as an Assistant Attorney General under Robert Henry. Afterwards, he returned to Tulsa to private practice. Tim has two children who attend Tulsa Public Schools. Tim has a solo law practice and is active in community affairs. Tim is also a member of the Downtown Tulsa Rotary Club, past member of the Southeast Tulsa Jaycees and, among his activities, has served on the Board of The Parent Child Center of Tulsa, The Public Policy Committee of the Mental Health Association in Tulsa, the Mayor's Commission on Concerns of the Disabled and United Way Investment Panel.Contact
1874 South Boulder Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74119
Office: (918) 583-8900, Fax: (918) 796-5724

Herb Rozell

Herb Rozell, TahlequahRepresents Congressional District 2. More Information Coming SoonContact
1106 West 4th Street, Tahlequah, OK 74464
Phone: (918) 456-8408




Here are the rest of the members of the State Board of Education

Rep. Billy Condemns Misogynist Bullying by State Board of Ed Members

Rep. Lisa Billy

Notes Board Members' Harassment Directed at Women

State Rep. Lisa J. Billy today joined the chorus of officials condemning the actions and sexist comments of State Board of Education members and called for their immediate resignation to “restore the integrity of the Board of Education.”

            “I am utterly disgusted by the sexist comments and unprofessional actions of State Board of Education members,” said Billy, R-Purcell. “The board has embarrassed the state of Oklahoma and its members have disgraced themselves.”

            During a discussion on the possible hiring of a woman expecting her first child at yesterday’s meeting, board member Herb Rozell referred to the woman as being “worthless” because of her pregnancy.

            Board member Tim Gilpin immediately added, “Can we have a motion that she not have her baby in April or May?” In a subsequent interview with News 9 in Oklahoma City, Gilpin referred to the same employee as being an “individual in a less than full capacity.”

            Billy noted those comments appeared to violate employment discrimination laws.

            “For these men to claim a woman is ‘worthless’ if she is pregnant ranks among the most repugnant things I have ever heard any state official say,” Billy said, “and that alone justifies their immediate resignation.”

            Billy noted board members engaged in bullying behavior throughout the meeting, and directed most of their fire at women. (I noticed this as well)

The board refused to hire Jennifer Carter as chief of staff, even though Carter is an attorney with a higher level of educational attainment than her predecessors. Carter previously worked as Assistant Insurance Commissioner for Government Relations for Democrat Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland and as Director of Legal Services/Government Relations for the Association of Professional Oklahoma Educators (APOE). In that position, Carter mediated and filed grievances on behalf of teachers and represented educators at board hearings and in lawsuits.

            Board members also refused to hire Jill Geiger for Director of Finance even though she was most recently a Deputy Director of the Division of the Budget at the Office of State Finance with six years experience in state education finances.

            “No one can argue with a straight face that these women are not well qualified,” Billy said. “It appears to me the board’s actions were based on sexist views of women, and had nothing to do with job duties.

“As someone who has campaigned with her small children in tow and served as a legislator while pregnant, I know firsthand that women can easily handle job and family. Apparently, the board members can’t even handle just one of those two tasks.”

Rep. Jason Nelson Calls on Members of the Board of Ed to Rebuke Rozell, Gilpin

State Rep. Jason Nelson (R-Oklahoma City) issued the following statement today on the actions of the State Board of Education during yesterday’s meeting.

“I’ve listened to nearly two hours of a recording of yesterday’s state board of education meeting. I can only describe it as disturbing.

“I'm stunned by the board members' appalling behavior at Dr. Janet Barresi’s first board meeting as our newly elected State Superintendent. I’m not surprised by Dr. Barresi's professionalism under fire. It only serves to confirm she is the right person for this job.

“Listening to the recording you hear a few members of the board attempt to provoke Dr. Barresi with constant harassment and interruptions over the course of five hours. Clearly they had organized this effort before yesterday’s meeting in a pathetic attempt to embarrass Superintendent Barresi. That plan backfired. Two of the board members in particular played the classic school yard bully.

“I can’t help but wonder if other board members were embarrassed or even intimidated by the disgraceful actions of board members Tim Gilpin and Herb Rozell. At one point a member of the board indicates that she supports approving the hiring of an individual recommended to the board by Dr. Barresi only to hear Mr. Gilpin overpower the conversation and blurt out a motion to the opposite effect. It's now public record that they underestimated Dr. Barresi and that they are not fit to continue serving on the board.

“I hope the other board members will quickly clarify that they do not share or endorse Gilpin’s and Rozell’s complete lack of respect and civility. It is important to know if the other board members believe the behavior exhibited by Mr. Gilpin and Mr. Rozell was appropriate and if they believe that these two men should continue serving on the board. I hope their silence sense yesterday’s meeting is not their assent to the unacceptable behavior.”