Jason Nelson Campaign Victory Watch Party Planned

Supporters and well-wishers are invited to our Campaign Victory Watch Party after the polls close on Election Day. 

When:
Election Day, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. 

Where: 
OKC Marriott, Suite 1615

3233 N.W. Expressway

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112

Volunteers will be reporting the vote count results directly from the polling locations around House District 87 to the watch party. We will have the final results long before they are reported by the Election Board and the media. Please make plans to stop by and join us for a victory celebration. Thank you for your support!

If you can't make the party but want to follow the results, we will be posting them on this blog and on Facebook and Twitter @jasonnelsonok. We will begin posting precinct results around 7:30 p.m.

SQ 765 necessary to rebuild Oklahoma’s broken Department of Human Services

Supporters say the welfare of Oklahoma’s children need a voice

OKLAHOMA – Passage of State Question 765 is a major component of Oklahoma’s effort to rebuild and improve the state’s broken Department of Human Services (DHS). The welfare of Oklahoma’s children, families, aging and disabled need a voice, supporters and authors of the ballot measure said Friday at a news conference at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

“Currently, the Department of Human Services is largely governed by a volunteer board which, however well-intentioned, does not answer to voters,” said Governor Mary Fallin. “The passage of SQ 765 will put authority for appointing an agency director in the hands of the governor, who was chosen to represent the people of Oklahoma and whose job it is to be responsive to their concerns. I am supportive of SQ 765 because it offers the governor more flexibility to pursue the reforms and improvements needed to keep Oklahoma children safe and to deliver higher quality services.”

See also: DHS will be improved, not abolished by SQ765

See also: Vote YES on SQ765 for Real DHS Reform

Under the watch of the DHS nine-member board, the Oklahoma Commission of Human Services, numerous child deaths, lawsuits and the resignation earlier this year of the DHS chairman have occurred.

Five-year-old Serenity Deal died while in the custody of the state in 2011, after repeated concerns were expressed by her foster parents about the danger she was in. DHS employees testified as to the safety of her father’s home, despite proof of repeated physical injuries.

Linda Terrell

“The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy fought hard last session to bring bold reforms to the broken child welfare system through the Serenity Project,” said Linda Terrell, OICA executive director. “The next crucial step is for voters to say yes to SQ 765 to abolish an antiquated oversight commission to bring greater accountability and ensure the safety of our most vulnerable Oklahomans.”

“The death of any child is tragic, but when a child dies because a government bureaucracy failed them is simply unacceptable,” said Annette Deal, grandmother of Serenity Deal. “Voting yes on State Question 765 means we are doing everything in our power to ensure no family has to endure the pain of losing a child the way our family lost Serenity.”

Under the watch of the DHS commission, DHS recently paid $9,500 to settle a lawsuit filed after a temporary DHS worker picked up the wrong girl from a Harrah elementary school in 2006. Additionally, the agency is involved in a lawsuit with a New York-based child advocacy group, Children’s Rights, that alleges Oklahoma’s system of caring for abused and neglected children is so bad that children are being injured and otherwise harmed while in shelters and foster homes. Earlier this year, the state of Oklahoma paid $300,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a mother who hid her young girl after DHS workers allegedly rejected concerns the girl had been molested.

“The agency’s governance structure is broken. It’s a 1930s governance model that fails to meet the needs of a complex 21st century agency,” said Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City and leader of the House DHS Working Group. “Nearly all the agency’s major problems can be traced back to an unaccountable commission and the historical tendency to insulate the director from any real accountability. If DHS is really going to improve, it must start at the top.”

In 2009, 3-year-old Ryan Weeks was beaten to death after being placed back in his mother’s custody from foster care despite pleading with the agency not to return the boy to the home. The mother’s live-in boyfriend eventually pleaded no contest to first-degree murder.

“Weeks spent his entire life in a home plagued by drug abuse and domestic violence,” said Steven Dow, executive director of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County and former DHS commissioner. “Children like him need the support and encouragement of a child welfare system that works and acts as a savior.”

DHS Commission meeting earlier this year

Three former or current Oklahoma Commissioners of Human Services, including Dow, are in favor of SQ 765 and getting rid of the commission altogether. The additional members include, Anne Roberts and former chairman Brad Yarbrough, who is a current commissioner.

Voter approval of the measure would end Oklahoma’s distinction as the only state where the director reports to an unelected commission rather than a governor whose elected position makes them directly accountable to the people ofOklahoma.

If the state question passes, HB 3137, passed in the legislature earlier this year, would require the DHS director to be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Currently, the director is hired by the Commission for Human Services.

“It puts the agency’s leadership closer to the people because the governor is accountable to all the people of Oklahoma,” Nelson said. “The pressure will be on the agency director to do what is right or they’ll have to answer to all the people ofOklahoma rather than an unelected, unaccountable commission. This agency is too important to leave it in the hands of people who don’t directly answer to the public.”

HB 3137 would also establish advisory panels that would monitor each of the agency’s divisions to help agency leadership make informed decisions. The legislation was developed and supported collectively by a bipartisan group of legislatures comprised of House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee; Reps. Wade Rousselot, D-Okay; Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City; Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore; Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa; and Sens. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City and Rick Brinkley, R-Owasso.

“The state question would not only abolish the commission but also a bad statute that goes back to 1936, Dow said. “Nothing has happened or can happen to improve the system because of the laws that are currently in effect. It’s time to change our system and SQ 765 is the first step.”

“A vote for SQ765 is a vote to fix DHS,” said Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “It is a vote to bring greater oversight and accountability that is desperately needed.”

Supporters of SQ 765 to gather for news conference

See press release from this press conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 1, 2012

Supporters of SQ 765 to gather for news conference on importance of rebuilding Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services

OKLAHOMA CITY– Authors and supporters of legislation that led to State Question 765 will gather at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2 in the Blue Room at the Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., to voice their support to help Oklahoma rebuild and improve the state’s broken Department of Human Services. 

WHO: 
Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City

Linda Terrell, executive director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy 

WHAT: 
Conference in support of State Question 765 to rebuild and improve the Oklahoma Department of Human Services

WHEN: 
10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 2

WHERE: 
4th Floor Broadcast Room at the Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.

###

Vote early!

The Oklahoman reporting that lines had formed at the Oklahoma County Election Board before early in-person absentee voting opened this morning at 8 a.m. 

You can vote early at the County Election Board office in the county where you are registered to vote from 8 AM to 6 PM on Friday and Monday before all elections.  For state and federal elections only, you also can vote early from 8 AM to 1 PM on Saturday before the election.

Voters in House District 87 can vote early at the Oklahoma County Election Board, 4202 Lincoln Boulevard (North of the Capitol).

Election	Early Voting Dates and Hours

General Election	Friday, November 2	8 AM - 6 PM
November 6, 2012	Saturday, November 3	8 AM - 1 PM
	Monday, November 5	8 AM - 6 PM

Is my ID valid for voting in Oklahoma?
FAQs about proof of identity for voting

I need your help in the closing days of the campaign

Campaign HQ - I need your help for a strong finish to my reelection campaign. I can use your help anytime between now and when the polls close in five days. I need your help whether you can only volunteer for an hour to cover a few blocks or you can spend a day covering an entire precinct. This is the first election in the new district lines and voter contact and visibility the last few days will make the difference for many voters. 

I need help door-knocking, distributing flyers and putting out signs. It’s easy and the weather is great. I’m sure your doctor would recommend a little fresh air, a low impact cardio workout and some light lifting.

Please call (946-8838), email (jason@jasonnelson.us), message or text me. 

Volunteers made the difference in the first two campaigns and they will this time too. 

Commentary: DHS will be improved, not abolished by SQ765

Oklahoma Capitol - A recent letter from Senior Assistant Attorney General Sandra Rinehard helps clarify what will happen if State Question 765 is approved by voters next week.

Rinehart wrote in an October 19, letter, "The ballot title informed the voters of the repeal of the constitutional provisions and informed the voters of the added powers of the Legislature to enact laws to create a department or departments to administer and carry out the duties of the Department of Human Services." 

SQ765 simply removes provisions of our state Constitution added in 1936 that required the creation of a Department of Public Welfare. DHS will not be abolished. 

Rinehart says, "We recognize that, in anticipation of the passage of the constitutional proposal, the Legislature enacted HB 3137. That legislation, among other provisions, creates four Citizen Advisory Panels to evaluate programs and develop recommendations and gives the Governor appointment power."

House Bill 3137 only goes into effect if voters approve SQ765.

House Bill 3137 says, “The Governor shall have the power and duty to select a Director of Human Services who shall serve as executive and administrative officer of the Department of Human Services. The Director shall be appointed wholly on the basis of ability, training and experience qualifying him or her for public welfare administration. The Director shall serve, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, at the pleasure of the Governor.”

Currently the unelected, unaccountable DHS Commission selects the Director of the agency. 

House Bill 3137 also creates “four Department of Human Services Citizens Advisory Panels to evaluate core program and administrative areas of the Department and to develop recommendations to improve the programs and administration of the Department.  These Panels are for Children and Family Issues, Aging Issues, Disability Issues and Administration.  Each Panel shall be composed of five (5) members.  Each appointee shall demonstrate an interest or expertise in the area of responsibility of the Panel to which the member is appointed.”

The current system doesn't work. SQ765 and HB 3137 make DHS accountable to the public and will give the Governor and Legislature the tools they need to reform DHS. Oklahoma is the only state to have a dysfunctional commission system running their human services agency. Let's abolish the Constitutional Commission and bring real reform to DHS. 

Vote YES on SQ765 on November 6!

Commentary: Vote YES on SQ765 for Real DHS Reform

Vote YES on SQ765 if:

• You DON'T like what you've been learning about DHS the last several years, 
• You DO want to see long term improvements in DHS operations, 
• You DO want to see increased accountability at DHS, 
• You DON'T think nine unelected officials should have complete constitutional authority over the state's largest agency, 
• You DO think the agency should answer to the public through elected representatives, and 
• You DO want to give the Governor and the Legislature the tools they need to fix problems facing the agency.

Remember, it was the Commission that refused to review child death cases like Serenity Deal until recently. Under Commission leadership three federal class action lawsuits have been filed against the agency. What could the Governor or the Legislature do? Nothing. The commission is isolated from public accountability by the Constitution. 

The Constitution says:

1. DHS is to be "under the control of a commission," not the legislature, not the governor and not even the Director. Sole authority over DHS is given to the commission.
2. The Commission is 'composed of nine members appointed by the Governor." The governor selects a commissioner to serve as chairman of the commission. Commissioners serve staggered nine year terms. 
3. It is the "duty of the Commission to select a Director."
4. The Commission shall formulate the policies, rules and regulations for the administration of the Department. 
5. All executive and administrative duties and responsibilities carried out by the Director are "Subject to the approval of the Commission."
6. Hiring personnel, setting standards, qualifications, examinations and salary schedules for employees are all "subject to the control of the Commission."
7. "No member of said Commission shall be subject to removal by the Governor."

The current system doesn't work. Oklahoma is the only state to have a dysfunctional system like this. Let's abolish the Constitutional Commission and bring real reform to DHS. 

Vote YES on SQ765 on November 6!

UPDATED: Community Services Initiative for Oklahomans with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Approved by DHS Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Human Services Commission voted 6-3 yesterday on a historic set of community service initiatives for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities supported by the agency’s Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD).

During a special meeting, the Commission passed resolutions directing the two remaining state-run institutions for people with developmental disabilities, the Northern Oklahoma Resource Center in Enid (NORCE) and the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center in Pauls Valley (SORC), be closed over the next two years and the 231 residents transitioned into community homes. DDSD is currently providing services and support to more than 5,000 persons with all levels of developmental and physical disabilities to live in their own homes and communities, a proven best practice in providing care for people with disabilities. The Commission oversees DDSD.

Institutional v. Community Services FAQ

Wes Lane, Chairman
OKDHS Commission

“We realize this is an emotional decision involving change for the residents and their families as well as the employees of the facilities,” said Wes Lane, Chairman of the Human Services Commission. “We determined after studying this issue in depth for the better part of a year that this is the right decision at the right time. DDSD has spent the past 20 years developing a comprehensive community service system that provides care and support to the vast majority of people receiving services who have all levels of disabilities,” said Lane. “Community services offer more personalized care and a higher quality of life to individuals, making institutional care a thing of the past.”

Four state lawmakers said they were surprised and dismayed by the Commission’s decision to close both institutions.

The decision was surprising in that it ignored a proposal submitted by Commissioner Michael Peck to close just the Pauls Valley center and move its 123 residents to the Enid center, state Rep. John Enns, R-Enid, said.

“Ideally, we would have liked to see both stay open,” Enns said. “At the very least though, we thought the DHS commission would keep the Enid center.”

State Senator Patrick Anderson, Rep. Mike Jackson and Rep. Lisa Billy said the commissioners erred.

“I don’t support the closure of either center. I think the overall process was flawed and I was surprised by the decision,” said Jackson, R-Enid.

Both NORCE and SORC were established more than 100 years ago when that was the only option for providing care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. SORC was opened in 1907 and originally known as the “State Training School for White Boys,” and NORCE opened in 1909 as the “Oklahoma Institute for the Feeble Minded.” At the height of institutional care in Oklahoma, both facilities housed more than 1,000 residents.

In the 1960’s, another state-run institution was added, The Hissom Memorial Center in Sand Springs. Hissom was closed in 1994 when a group of parents filed a class action lawsuit demanding the state create community service options for their children. DDSD successfully transitioned more than 400 Hissom residents, many requiring 24-hour a day nursing care, into community homes. Long-term studies on the Hissom residents show they lead healthier, more active lives. Over the past 10 years, DDSD has successfully transitioned many residents of NORCE and SORC into community homes, typically closer to their families.

Governor Mary Fallin today praised the Oklahoma Human Services Commission for its vote to complete the state’s transition from institutional care to community services for Oklahomans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Gov. Mary Fallin

“The vast majority of Oklahomans currently receiving assistance through DDSD are doing so in communities,” Fallin said. “Community care offers more personalized planning and service delivery than institutional care. Additionally, outcomes for individuals in community settings have proven to be better than outcomes produced by institutional care. Completing the transition to community based services allows the state to focus its resources on the highest quality service options available.”

Today, SORC has 123 residents and NORCE has 108. Both facilities are in danger of losing their certification by the Department of Health if millions of dollars in capital improvements and repairs are not made to the aging facilities.

Because NORCE and SORC each operate large campuses built for much higher occupancy, both facilities have vacant and condemned buildings. These buildings, as well as the rest of the campus structures, require brick and mortar upkeep costs paid for with DHS and DDSD public funds.

These expenses divert money from direct services to individuals. Additionally, they contribute to a shortage of funds that has lead to a backlog of almost 7,000 individuals, currently on a waiting list, hoping to receive DDSD community services.

“We want to make sure that state tax dollars are used to actually help people with developmental disabilities, whether it’s through vocational training and placement, medical services or high quality staff support,” said Fallin. “Shifting our resources to community-based services will ensure that the greatest number of Oklahomans can get the highest quality of direct support, rather than spending tax dollars on the upkeep of large vacant buildings at the state’s two aging institutions.”

In studying this issue, Commissioners and the Governor have also visited homes in communities of people who once lived at one of the facilities, and have heard from parents and guardians of the residents, the public employees’ association, providers of community services, and national experts on transitioning people from institutions into community homes.

“The staff at NORCE and SORC have done a great service for the state, and they should be commended for their hard work and dedication,” Fallin said. “As the state shifts towards community based services, it’s our hope that many of these men and women continue their work in community settings.”

Lane echoed the Governor’s comments.

“We appreciate the dedication of all the staff at NORCE and SORC,” said Lane. “They have provided quality services to the residents and we hope they will continue to serve the residents as long as they are needed. As individuals move into the community, we hope many of the staff members choose to continue serving these individuals in community homes.”

In the resolutions passed today, the Commission pledged the agency’s support to families of NORCE and SORC throughout the transition process into community homes. It also directed that families and residents will not incur additional expenses as a result of their move.

“Every commission member understands the families’ concerns and we know that any change in living arrangements can be hard,” said Lane. “We emphasized today that we are committed to helping individuals and families make a smooth transition and that no one will be moved until all the necessary supports are in place. As we have seen with previous transitions of former NORCE and SORC residents, the families acknowledge their loved ones are better off and they have a much higher quality of life.”

Gov. Fallin reassured residents and families that the transition process would be done very carefully to protect the health and safety of the residents.

“We understand that for the men and women currently residing in NORCE and SORC, as well as their families, any transition or change in service can be difficult,” Fallin said. “It’s important for those individuals to realize, however, that we are transitioning them to community services that are more versatile and can offer them more personalized and flexible options as well as a higher quality of life. The state is absolutely committed to helping them make this transition go as smoothly as possible. It should also be clear to everyone that no one will transition out of institutional care until they locate, with the help of DDSD, a high quality community services option to address their individual needs and preferences. No one’s services will be cut off.”

Additional concerns for the commission are the nearly 7,000 families caring for loved ones at home who are on a waiting list for DDSD community services.  The waiting list continues to grow because of a shortage of funding for services.

“Many of these families who are waiting for services are caring for loved ones who have the same levels of need as the residents of NORCE and SORC, and these families are doing this on their own without any help from the state.” said Lane. “We could not, in good conscience, request an appropriation of $30 to $40 million state dollars to spend on capital improvements for buildings when funds are needed to help these families who are waiting and struggling. That is why we asked the Governor to create a new panel to develop a comprehensive plan for supporting people with developmental disabilities and their parents and families, and for addressing Oklahoma’s growing waiting list for home and community based services.”

DDSD will communicate with the parents and guardians of current residents shortly to provide information and begin the initial planning stages.

The DHS Human Resources staff and Office of Management and Enterprise Services Human Capital Management Division are ready and available to work with employees of NORCE and SORC.

Finally, the commission asks Governor Fallin to convene a panel of parents, professionals and state agency representatives to develop a comprehensive plan to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, as well as to address the state’s growing waiting list.

Fallin said she will take the commission’s advice and create a blue ribbon panel to develop future support plans for developmental disabilities services in Oklahoma.

“I accept the recommendation of the commission to create a new panel to explore comprehensive delivery of high quality services to Oklahomans with developmental disabilities,” Fallin said. “We expect recommendations of the panel to help us with this transition and to set the stage for further improvements in the future.”

This meeting also marked the first day on the job for new DHS Director Ed Lake, a former assistant commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

“Although I am new to Oklahoma, I have already voiced my support for community services in lieu of institutional care for people with developmental disabilities,” said Lake. “I have been in contact with the Commission and the Governor’s office recently as they have worked up to making this decision and I am impressed with the amount of time they have all invested into this issue. I am reassured this was a well thought out and caring approach to a very difficult and emotional decision. I fully support the actions the Commission has taken and pledge my commitment to the families and residents for safe and smooth transitions.”

(Originally posted Nov. 1, 2012; updated Nov. 2)

Commentary: Outdated Education Funding Systems Need Work

State Capitol -- Thank you Superintendent Barresi, Board members and guests.

That there is a disconnect between public school administrators and legislators about school funding isn’t news to anyone -- but there’s hope for a solution.

The disconnect is caused by a lack of detailed information available to lawmakers during the legislative budget process each year.

I’ll share a few observations with you this morning.

1. Data

As I’ve studied mounds of school financial data, many local school officials have cautioned me that the data might not be accurate because some school districts don’t always do a consistent job when reporting data.

I have found instances of this.

2. Carryover

Questions about carry-over funds have been around for years, and have been answered by generalized explanations that fail to account for the large number of diverse school districts.

For instance, districts do not receive state aid for the first month of the fiscal year and must use carry-over to pay bills during this time. But this does not begin to explain carry-over balances currently held by schools.

I’ll use Luther and Talihina Schools for an example -- two districts with very similar student enrollment, revenue, expenses and carry-over fund balances. Districts don’t begin to receive the bulk of their local funding until January -- six months into the fiscal year. Luther receives nearly 70 percent of its revenue from local sources compared to Talihina at only 10 percent. But both districts carry-over is virtually the same when it would appear that their cash flow needs are very different.

We currently have a one-size-fits-all set of rules on carryover funds but no two school districts cash flow needs are the same.

3. Formula

Through the funding formula, I can see relatively detailed information about the revenue each district generates for operations. I'm not able to see a corresponding level of detail about how that money is spent.

For example, the formula provides a weight or multiplier of .25 for each economically-disadvantaged student to cover additional support costs. Districts cite the increased number of economically-disadvantaged students when requesting additional funds, but I can’t see what districts’ actual costs are for these students.

What is the level of disconnect between the funding formula weights for these kids and what school districts actually spend educating them?

4. Enrollment

The formula also creates a disparity between school districts with increasing and decreasing student enrollment. School districts with declining enrollment can count their highest enrollment year for full funding for two years. But increased funding lags six months or more in school districts with increasing enrollment. The formula does not shift money to meet this need in a timely manner.

House Bill 1017 is more than 20 years old. The funding formula was passed more than 30 years ago. There are scores of separate funding streams for schools. Each of these laws is based on education staffing models, student demographics and economic factors that have changed significantly in the past 20 to 30 years.

It is time to take a fresh look at these issues and to provide the legislature and the public with the information it needs and deserves. This will help ensure that students get the maximum benefit from every education dollar spent.

(Above are the prepared notes for my public comments I presented to the State Board of Education and State Supt. Janet Barresi during the October 25, 2012, State Board meeting. This statement is only an overview and does not reflect all of my research and opinions on this topic. I will have more to say about education funding and will be providing more details as I continue my investigation of education funding and finance during the next few months.)

Nelson Reelection Bid Endorsed by Small Business Group

Oklahoma City -- The National Federation of Independent Business, Oklahoma’s leading small business Association, recently announced its endorsement of my bid for reelection to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

“Representative Jason Nelson has received the endorsement of NFIB Oklahoma because he has a proven record in support of small and independent businesses,” said Jerrod Shouse, NFIB Oklahoma State Director. “Representative Nelson clearly understands the importance of small businesses to the economy of Oklahoma and has shown he will consider the needs of small business in the legislature. We are proud to endorse his candidacy and look forward to working with him in the next legislative session.”

NFIB’s endorsement brings with it the powerful support of thousands of small business owners across the state. “Our members, the independent business owners, know and appreciate the importance of an ally in legislature,” said Shouse.

This endorsement comes from the Oklahoma SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, NFIB’s political action committee. The National Federation of Independent Business bases its political support on candidates’ positions and records on key small business issues.

My wife and I have parents who started and continue to run successful small businesses. Lori and I also have a small business. Small, independent businesses are the backbone of our economy. As a State Representative I believe small business should be protected from high taxes and burdensome regulations. I will continue to be a champion of our state's main economic engine - small, independent businesses that provide the bulk of the jobs in our state. 

I'm honored to have the endorsement of the NFIB - a well respected champion of small business. 

Fallin Statement on A-F Report Cards Released by State Board of Education

Governor Mary Fallin released the following statement praising the A-F report cards released today by the State Board of Education. The report cards assign letter grades to Oklahoma public schools.

“As governor, one of my top priorities is to improve the quality of education for students in Oklahoma. Creating an A-F grading system for schools is an essential step in pursuing that goal. Having this new system will allow us to measure progress, recognize and reward schools that perform well, and identify those schools that are in need of improvement.

“The report cards released today give parents, students, teachers and administrators an easy way to identify success. As with any change, especially one that measures performance and demands accountability, these report cards will have their detractors. Ultimately, however, this is about what is fair and right for Oklahoma’s children, who deserve to attend schools with high standards and transparent measures of success.”

State Education Board Approves $289 Million Budget Increase Request

That Includes Funds for Reforms, Teacher Pay Increases

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 8, 2012) – Oklahoma State Board of Education members on Thursday approved a $289 million Fiscal Year 2014 budget increase request for public schools to be made to the State Legislature late this year as lawmakers prepare for the 2013 Legislative Session. 

The budget includes dollars for statewide implementation of reforms, as well as funds for teachers and school personnel. 

"This request represents a substantial increase," State Superintendent Janet Barresi said, "but we will be be basing the increase in funds on performance. We're promising a return on investment to Oklahoma taxpayers."

Barresi said funds for schools will be tied to detailed performance metrics in areas such as gains in core subjects such as reading and math, results of a statewide Teacher and Leader Effectiveness system, and gains in closing the state's achievement gaps for minority students.

Additionally, with an increase in state aid to public schools, the state would anticipate that local superintendents would use a portion of the new dollars to boost teacher salaries. While the manner and method of teacher pay increases would be left to local decision making, Barresi said it was essential that budget talks this year include an emphasis on better teacher pay.

"The increased funds we're asking for focus on better pay for teachers and on results in our schools. It's time for a new conversation about our state's education spending that focuses on targeted strategies and clear-cut results," Barresi said. 

Barresi said the new budget request would also be tied directly to the state's C3 Plan to have all students graduating from an Oklahoma high school ready for college, career and citizenship by the year 2020. The C3 Plan has seven primary goals: an effective teacher in every classroom, and an effective leader in every school; an increase in the number of students in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) pipeline; and stair step readiness goals in kindergarten, fourth grade, sixth grade, high school and upon graduation.

Board members reviewed preliminary numbers in a special meeting Oct. 8 and voted to approve the budget Thursday. 

The budget includes a $234 million increase in state aid to public schools — from about $1.8 billion in FY 2013 to a possible increase of more than $2 billion. 

The budget request also asks for nearly $46 million more in the state's public school activities fund — targeting key areas for reform implementation such as third grade reading readiness, Advanced Placement teacher training, ACE (Achieving Classroom Excellence) end-of-instruction requirements remediation, additional money for the state's new Teacher and Leader Effectiveness System, and funds for the state's student information system to provide more precise information for teachers in the classroom. 

The budget increase also will go toward a competitive grants pool for schools to spur innovations and reforms throughout the state.

Oklahoma A-F School Report Cards Released

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 25, 2012) – The Oklahoma State Department of Education on Thursday launched the historic release of first-time A-F School Report Cards, giving all schools in the state a grade of A, B, C, D or F – similar to grades given to students. More than 90 percent of schools across the state received a grade of C or higher, with nearly 50 percent receiving a B.

Grades are immediately available to the public for online viewing or download on the State Department of Education’s website.

“With today’s release, Oklahoma is entering a new era of accountability and transparency for our schools. This landmark first for Oklahoma gives parents and community members clear-cut information about the performance level of their local schools,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi. “These report cards are user-friendly, straightforward and fair. It is high time for parents to have access to this information as they seek to make the best educational choices for their children. Parents have a basic right to this information, and they should be able to find it easily.”

The report cards released Thursday represented 1 percent of schools with a grade of an F, 8 percent a D, 34 percent C, 48 percent B, 9 percent A.

The report cards show student achievement based on tests scores in subjects such as reading, writing and math. They show overall student growth, and whole school improvement, which consists of such things as student attendance, dropout rates, and advanced coursework. Schools earned bonus points for parent and community participation and for school climate surveys. 

“The A-F reform has strong support among parents and the general public,” said Barresi. “Parents are the first and best advocates for their children, and they speak for the students of our state. At the end of the day, this reform represents an opportunity for communities to gather around their schools to maintain success or to help them improve.”

The report cards originally were planned for release on Oct. 8, but the State Board of Education delayed the vote to take into consideration concerns voiced by a number of state school superintendents. The board on Thursday said those concerns had been thoroughly considered.

As part of this new reform, State Superintendent Janet Barresi also has launched Raise the Grade Together — an effort to help every school in the state improve and succeed.

Supt. Barresi will visit communities for Raise the Grade Together events, to bring together parents, civic, business and school leaders for constructive conversations about academic success.

The effort calls every stakeholder to raise the grade together by taking the mission of educating children as a community approach. Where weak areas in student achievement or attendance are exposed, parents and community members are asked to help schools by offering mentoring assistance or volunteering.

Raise the Grade Together began with a symposium for a variety of school leaders in September, along with the release of a resource guide, which can be downloaded by the public on the State Department of Education’s website.

Superintendent Barresi's Raise the Grade Together effort will include the following community visits:

• October 29, Bartlesville
• November 15, Altus
• November 19, Enid

Jingle Jangle Event for Single Mothers Scheduled

Hear from Pam Kanaly and Wanda Pratt, mother of OKC Thunder’s Kevin Durant

If ever there is a season that demands more than 100% of a person’s fortitude and stamina, it’s those six weeks between mid-November and the end of the year. What’s a single mom to do? Attend Jingle Jangle!

Jingle Jangle is a Friday night of fun and encouragement for single moms and their children.

This event is geared toward women raising children alone. Attendees range from divorced, never married, widowed, separated from spouse, grandmothers raising grandchildren, etc. Regardless of how long you’ve been a single mother or the age of your children, this special pre-holiday night out is for you!

The event will feature Pam Kanaly and an interview with Wanda Pratt, mother of OKC Thunder’s Kevin Durant. 

Pam Kanaly is an author, national speaker and nominee for Oklahoma Mother of the Year 2010. 

Wanda Pratt is the mother of NBA star Kevin Durant. She gave birth to Kevin before she married Kevin's father Wayne Pratt. This led to Kevin taking his mother's maiden name as his last name. Wayne would eventually leave Wanda, Kevin and Kevin's brother Tony before Kevin's first birthday leaving all the heavy lifting of raising two boys to Wanda.

When Kevin turned 9 Wanda introduced him to Taras Brown, the man who would become Kevin's mentor and train him throughout his youth. With Wanda's discipline at home and Taras' training in the gym Kevin turned into the NBA star we see now. Eventually Wayne would come back into Kevin's life but Wanda always gets the credit for raising Kevin from Kevin himself. When the NBA finals get started don't be surprised if you see Wanda dancing up a storm in OKC which always draws a smile from her son Kevin.

Jingle Jangle is billed as a time for single mothers to connect with other single moms.

This event is free but registration is required. Registration will close after Friday, November 9, 2012.

Childcare is provided for children ages birth through 12 years old. Registration is required by Friday, November 9, 2012. Please feed your children dinner before arriving. Children are not permitted in the auditorium during the event in order to allow moms to have a quiet break.

Get more information at http://www.jinglejangleevent.org

ONLINE REGISTRATION LINK OR REGISTER BY PHONE (405) 812-5137

When
Friday, November 16, 2012
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Where
PEOPLE'S CHURCH
OKLAHOMA CITY CAMPUS
800 East Britton Road
Oklahoma City, OK  73114