SPARTANS ATTHE CAPITOL: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
● Spartans at the Capitol Legislative Updates consist of strictly factual information, not to include information relative to support or opposition of legislation.The goal is to present the possible impact of legislation on public education, both positive and negative.
● “At a Glance” summary of education-related legislation being tracked by CCOSA this session.
● See here for the 2023 BPS + Bixby PLAC Legislative Goals!
Tips &Tools:
● Updated E-Mail Blocks
● Download the OK Legislature App! Apple Android JOIN
Questions?
Contact: Jessica Jernegan at jjernegan@bixbyps.org
US ATTHE CAPITOL - LAST CHANCE!
4/10
- Monday
HERE TO SIGN UP!
CLICK
SPARTANSVOTE! - ANDTHATWE DID!
● 2023 Board Election
○ 2,042Voters
● 2022 Board Election
○ 768Voters
● 2021 Board Election
○ No Election
● 2020 Board Election
○ 767Voters
*Voterturnoutincreasedfrom votersto , voters!Waytogo,Spartans!VotingineveryelectionisSOimportant!*
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION RESULTS
The district would like to extend our thanks to both candidates, Ms. Julie Bentley & Mr. Matt Dotson for running for BPS School Board.
Congratulations to incumbent, Mr. Matt Dotson, who will be sworn in for another -year term at the April th Special Board of Education Meeting at PM.
THE FIGHT FOR FUNDING
TheTaleofTwoPlans
Last Thursday, the Senate heard and passed their amended versions of the bills that are carrying the House Education Plan, HB (with a - vote) and HB (with a - vote). Senate floor votes can be seen here: HB votes, HB votes.
The two bills are:
● HB (as amended) appropriates $ million for public schools.
● HB (as amended) is the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act.
There are threeremainingpossibilities from here:
● House accepts Senate amendments and sends the bill to Gov. Stitt
● House rejects Senate amendments, bills are assigned to a conference committee to hammer out differences. Changes would need to be approved by both chambers before bills are sent to the governor.
● House doesn't hear Senate versions of the bills. Bill language could be dropped into another conference committee bill or could be part of a budget bill. In either case, the bills would need to be approved by both chambers before they are sent to the governor.
NotesfromSupt.Miller: BPS supports a bold investment in public education. We support the Senate amendment relative to teacher pay as this will put more money in the pockets of our educators. We also advocate that any new expenditures be distributed through the state funding formula to ensure equity for all Oklahoma schools.
It is important to remember that anyfundsusedforindividualtaxcredits:
● could be used to increase funding for the , Oklahoma children enrolled in Oklahoma’s public schools.
● could be used to support reduction of sales taxes on groceries or lower income tax rates
● increase the tax burden on all Oklahomans
Elections
OTHER BILLS OF NOTE
● PASSED: SB by Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, and Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, would move school board elections for school districts and career technology centers to November with primary elections in August or September. This bill now moves to the House. Review the vote here.
LindseyNicoleHenryVouchers
● PASSED: SB by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and Rep. Jon Echols, R-OKC, passed by a vote of - (two excused). It would result in increased state aid dollars being diverted from public schools through the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program for Children with Disabilities and strays from the original intent of serving students with special needs. Review the vote here .
Coming Up
A full slate of committee meetings is expected next week. Bills have been assigned to committees in the opposite chamber, and the deadline for bills to be heard in opposite chamber committees has been delayed a week to April th.
● April : Deadline for bills to be heard in opposite committee
● April : Deadline for bills to be heard in opposite chamber
● May : Sine Die by p.m.
Bixby Public Schools has developed a 5-year Strategic Plan with the input of ALL stakeholders.
The mission: “Ignite the Potential of Every Student”
This plan cannot fully succeed without the ACTION of elected officials. If implemented, these legislative goals will ensure BPS is a place where ALL learners believe in their power to LEARN, EXCEL, and OWN their future!
BIXBY PUBLIC SCHOOLS & BIXBY PLAC 2023 Legislative Goals
Funding & Revenue Streams:
● Protect existing revenue
● Increase per-pupil funding to be regionally competitive
● Formulate a sustainable, long-term plan schools can count on
Graduation Requirements:
● Remove “shackles” (such as foreign language requirement) to open up pathways for kids
VibrantTeaching & Learning
Culture of Innovation
● Allow greater autonomy at the local district level relative to graduation pathways
Instructional Investment:
● Protect instructional time by not supporting ANY increased testing
● Limit any and all additional requirements/mandates and FUND them if passed
Vouchers, ESA’s, &Tax Credit Scholarships:
● JUST SAY NO
● Public $$ = Public Schools
● Do not decrease the “pot” from which all state agencies are funded
● Accountability, transparency, and reporting for OSF
Teacher Pipeline & Retention:
● 50k starting pay for ALL teachers
● Approximate cost at BPS: $3.4M
ExemplaryTeachers & Staff
Investment into the State Formula allowing the district to:
● Increase salary scales for support staff
● Lower class sizes across all grade levels (where capacity allows)
● Added programming for students
Safe &Welcoming Schools
Family & Community Engagement
Mental Health,Trauma Support, Community Education Programs:
● Increased funding for added counselors and/or on site social workers
● Local control with increased funding allowing districts to meet individual student needs
● Expand opportunities for Community Education and Family Engagement
● We know our students, we recognize their needs, provide us the resources to serve them
Scan here for the complete 2021-2025 BPS Strategic Plan:
