STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING SUMMARY

The Oklahoma State Board of Education met Thursday, April th. Many questions surround the three areas below which were discussed including action on one item:

Diversity,Equity,andInclusion(DEI)Report-BoardActionItem

● A new report is required for district expenditures on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) dueJune , with the possibility of an extension upon request. You can read more here: specialreport.

TeacherSigningBonuses

● A program for awarding TeacherSigningBonuses was announced by Superintendent Walters. You can read the letter that explains the program and was sent to districts here. Some key points include:

● The bonuses are available to only PK - rd grade teachers and Special Ed teachers.

● Thebonusisforoneyearonly(FY ) and only for new teachers, out-of-state teachers, teachers returning to the classroom, and emergency certified teachers who obtain a non-emergency teaching certificate. If emergency certified teachers obtain a non-emergency teaching certification to teach in grades PK- or Special Education prior to the - school year and meet other program requirements, they will be eligible for the signing bonus. They would be considered newly certified teachers.

● Teachers must commit to teaching five years in an Oklahoma school.

● Teachers can apply through thislink on the OSDE webpage.

TeacherEmpowermentProgram

● HB ( ) created the Teacher Empowerment Program.

● There are new teacher certification designations being created--- advanced, lead, and master.

● Districts can nominate and approve up to % of their eligible teachers.

● This is a state-matching program; districts must pay at least / of the salary increase.

● Teachers can earn a minimum of $ , from their local district, with a maximum of $ , in annual incentive salary, depending on the designation level and fundingavailability.

● Teachers may receive the corresponding State match, not to exceed $ , , to the district allotment, giventhatthereisavailablefunding remaining,

● District applications for the Teacher Empowerment Program are made through the State GMS application system in the teacher single-sign-on (SSO) after designations have been built and approved by the district board.

● This program is to be funded through any monies collected in the Oklahoma Education Lottery Commission in excess of $ million. To date, the monies collected have never exceeded $ million, but we understand that there has been a projection of a $ million excess in FY . The program availability is contingent upon funding availability.