Members of Oklahoma Commission on School Security Announced

Oklahoma City—Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, House Speaker T.W. Shannon, Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage and House Democratic Leader Scott Inman announced last week the members of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security.

Lt. Governor Lamb, a former United States Secret Service Agent, will serve as chair of the commission and looks forward to the work set to be accomplished.   

“Partnering with legislative leaders to create the Oklahoma Commission on School Security was a much-needed, proactive decision,” said Lt. Governor Lamb.  “Our children deserve safe and secure learning environments and this commission is committed to doing just that.  Each commission member brings experience from their respective field that will generate ideas and solutions to enhance school security.”

Members of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security include local school personnel, law enforcement, parents and health care professionals, and are as follows:

1. Roger Webb – Headmaster, Oklahoma Christian School/former President, University of Central Oklahoma/former Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
2. Maj. Gen. Lee Baxter (retired) –State Board of Education Member
3. Dr. Ryan Brown – Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Oklahoma
4. Lyn Watson – Oklahoma City School Board, District 1
5. Randy Holley – Superintendent, Shattuck Public Schools
6. Dr. Gary Quinn – Superintendent, Bartlesville Public Schools
7. Kevin Burr – Superintendent, Sapulpa Public Schools
8. Mike McClaren – Superintendent, Claremore Public Schools
9. Dr. Trice Butler – Principal, Wilburton Middle School
10. Dr. Sharon Brady – Assistant Director of Special Education, Lawton Public Schools
11. Tammy Will – Teacher, Morrison Public Schools
12. Dr. Eleanor Goetzinger – Behavior Specialist, Oklahoma City Public Schools
13. Jerry McConnell – Director of Facility Operations, Moore Norman Technology Center
14. David Prater – Oklahoma County District Attorney
15. Kim Carter – Director, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security
16. Brandon Clabes – Midwest City, Chief of Police
17. Captain Tim Dorsey – Captain, Edmond Police Department
18. Darry Stacy – Cleveland County Commissioner, District 2
19. Gary Rudick – Chief of Police, Tulsa Public Schools Campus Police
20. Major James Blocker – Director of EMS, Oklahoma City Fire Department
21. Gary Armbruster – Principal Architect, MA+ Architecture
22. Phil Armstrong – Assistant Pastor, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Tulsa

“There is nothing more important than doing everything in our power to keep Oklahoma's kids safe,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman.  “I am tremendously thankful for these subject matter experts—they are generously giving of their time to help us build safer schools and address the fundamental problems that could potentially put our kids in harm’s way.  I appreciate their service.”

"Our children are our highest priority," said House Speaker T.W. Shannon.  "I applaud these men and women for volunteering their time and expertise to help safeguard the future of Oklahoma. My hope is they will strike the right balance between public safety and personal liberty."

 “We must have a serious, fact-driven discussion about the safety of our schools,” said Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage.  “The formation of the non-partisan Oklahoma Commission on School Safety is an important first step.  I applaud those who have stepped up to serve our state in this capacity, and I look forward to the findings of the commission.”

"As a parent, I never want to second-guess the safety of my children while they are at school," said House Democratic Leader Scott Inman.  "The Oklahoma Commission on School Security's work will be timely and necessary if we want to proactively create learning environments where our children feel safe, secure, and fearless throughout their education.  I look forward to the commission's findings and know these experts will provide us with a meaningful road map to ensuring our schools are secure."

Commission members will hold various meetings, the first set to convene at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Room 419-C, on January 22 at 1:30 p.m.  Meeting agendas will include speaker testimony and discussion on the various factors related to school security including but not limited to public safety, mental health, training, engineering and local control.  The commission plans on providing suggestions and legislative recommendations regarding school security for the 2013 legislative session.

Oklahomans across the state are encouraged to submit their ideas for study in the commission by calling the Lt. Governor’s office at 405-521-2161.

Lamb, Legislative Leaders Announce Commission on School Security

Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and House Speaker-elect T.W. Shannon Thursday announced the formation of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security.

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb

“In light of recent events, the time has come for us to assess the current school security system in Oklahoma,” said Lt. Governor Todd Lamb. “The Oklahoma Commission on School Security will provide an avenue for some of Oklahoma’s finest to collaborate towards a common goal. With the right knowledge and resources, we can effectively provide a safer school climate for our most precious commodity.”

Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage and House Democratic Leader Scott Inman have agreed to work with Republican Leadership to form a non-partisan commission. The purpose of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security will be to study a number of school security factors and to provide suggestions and possible legislative recommendations for the 2013 legislative session. Some initial issues to be discussed within the commission’s study will include current school safety measures, local control and local empowerment and mental health.

“The events of the previous week have deeply impacted us all,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman. “This is a time to grieve for the families in Newtown, to hug our kids a little bit tighter, and a time to ask ourselves how we can respond appropriately. I am encouraged by the non-partisan, thoughtful approach shown my colleagues in legislative leadership. Together, we believe Lt. Governor Lamb, as an expert in physical security from his time defending the President of the United States, is particularly equipped to lead our Oklahoma Commission on School Security – I am thankful for his leadership and willingness to serve.”

Speaker-Elect T.W. Shannon

“What took place in Newtown is unfathomable and disturbing,” said House Speaker-elect T.W. Shannon. “Our schools have too often become soft targets for those who have no regard for the precious lives of our children and those who we trust to educate and care for them. As a father and Speaker-elect, there is no higher priority than the safety of our children. Now is the time for us to review the safety needs of our public and private schools. The purpose of this commission is to put forth ideas that will address the safety needs of both our metropolitan and rural school districts.”

“What took place in Newtown almost a week ago, an act of pure evil, is still so hard for all of us as Americans to understand,” said Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage. “As legislative leaders in Oklahoma, we feel the right thing to do is come together in a non-partisan way to look at how we might be able to create safer classrooms for our kids. We must address the physical security of our school facilities, as well as very challenging mental health issues. I look forward to the recommendations of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security.”

Rep. Scott Inman, Democrat Leader

“In light of the tragic events in Connecticut last week I welcome the opportunity for us all to come together in a bipartisan manner and discuss ways in which we can best protect the children of Oklahoma,” said House Democratic Leader Scott Inman. “I appreciate the willingness of the Speaker-Elect to solicit input and consider solutions that are not simply knee-jerk reactions to the tragic events of Sandy Hook Elementary School. I look forward to working in the days ahead with the Speaker-Elect on this important issue.”

Lt. Governor Lamb began the initial steps in increasing school security when he was in the Oklahoma State Senate and the principal author of the Oklahoma School Security Act. The act, Senate Bill 1941, required schools to practice lockdowns two times a year. The measure additionally defined electronic communication as a form of bullying. The Oklahoma School Security Act also created a place on regional Homeland Security Advisory boards for school administrators.

As a former United States Secret Service Agent, Lt. Governor Lamb will bring his law enforcement experience and serve as chair of the commission, working with legislative leaders to appoint commission members in the coming weeks. Various backgrounds will be represented on the commission to include homeland security, local police, local school personnel, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and mental health.

Senate Democratic Leader Burrage announces leadership team

The Senate Democratic Caucus announced their leadership team for the 54th Legislature Monday. Senator Sean Burrage will once again serve as Democratic Leader.

“I’m honored to once again be entrusted to lead our caucus. I’m looking forward to working on those issues important to our members and constituents,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “Our caucus members have a tremendous amount of expertise and we are anxious to put that knowledge to work for the citizens of Oklahoma and work with our colleagues across the aisle to strengthen Oklahoma’s economy and protect our state’s hardworking families.”

Burrage will be officially re-elected to his leadership position on Tuesday, January 8 when the Senate convenes for its Organizational Day.

The Democratic Leadership team is as follows:

Sen. Burrage chosen as next Democratic Floor Leader

Sen. Sean Burrage
D-Claremore

Claremore lawmaker Sean Burrage has been chosen to serve as the next Senate Democratic Floor Leader. Members of the caucus held a vote on Tuesday to decide who would follow Sen. Andrew Rice in the leadership post. Rice, D-Oklahoma City, recently announced he would resign from the Senate effective January 15.

Burrage said he was honored to lead the Senate Democrats in 2012.

“I believe we must always be focused on what’s good for our state—not what’s going to score the most political points. We want a stronger economy and top-paying jobs for our citizens. We want our children to have the best educational opportunities possible and we want to be safe when we are at school, work or at home. We want roads and bridges that are modern and safe as well. When we can agree on how to achieve those things, then those are programs we’ll support,” Burrage said. “But if proposed legislation comes at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens, then we’ll be fighting to give those individuals a voice in the Senate.”

Burrage, an attorney and father of two, was reelected without opposition to a second term in the Senate in 2010. He currently serves as Assistant Democratic Floor Leader in the Senate. His committee assignments include the Full Appropriations Committee, the Senate Standing Committees on Energy and Transportation, and he is the vice-chairman of the Committee on Health and Human Services.

Burrage also serves on the Senate Select Committee established to reform and strengthen Oklahoma’s pension systems, and served as vice-chairman of the 2011 Senate Redistricting Committee.

Senate Pro-Tem Brian Bingman congratulated Burrage on his new role in the Senate.

"I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to my friend Senator Burrage on his election as the next Minority Leader,” Bingman said. “I have had the privilege of working with Sean for several years and have seen first hand his thoughtfulness and temperament. Though we may not agree on every issue, I believe Senator Burrage to be a man of integrity who will facilitate a healthy and honest public debate as the Senate works to move Oklahoma forward."

Governor Mary Fallin released a statement today on the selection of Burrage as the new Senate Minority Leader.

“My congratulations go out to Senator Burrage for his election to the post of Minority Leader,” Fallin said.  “I look forward to working with him to build bipartisan consensus on policies that will create jobs, make government more efficient and accountable, and continue to move Oklahoma forward.  Senator Burrage is a responsible, conscientious and effective lawmaker and I know he is more than up to the task.”

Burrage concluded by expressing gratitude to his fellow Democrats.

“We are committed to our constituents, and to creating public policy that will move our state forward,” Burrage said. “Again, I thank my fellow Democrats for the trust they’ve placed in me. I’m looking forward to working on behalf of all our citizens in the coming session.”