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Education

Leading public school funding advocates oppose State Question 744

Thursday, September 16 2010 15:06 by Patrick B. McGuigan Education

Dr. Alexander Holmes, speaking in his private capacity, called State Question 744 “bad budget policy, bad constitutional construction, and bad democracy.” Holmes was a leading architect of House Bill 1017, which has pumped millions of new tax dollars into public education to finance teacher pay increases. Photo by Patrick B. McGuigan

Opposition to State Question 744 intensified during a press conference at the Oklahoma state Capitol last week. Meanwhile, supporters of the controversial ballot question unveiled a list of supporters.

A leading advocate of House Bill 1017, the state tax hike that benefited teachers' pay scales in 1990, joined an architect of Oklahoma City's historic MAPS for Kids projects and the leaders of Oklahoma's two leading public policy think tanks to assail S.Q. 744.

Budget cut forces lay offs for OKC Public Schools

Wednesday, August 18 2010 13:42 By Stacy Martin Education

It Could Have Been Worse: Oklahoma City Public Schools laid off just 90 teachers from a pool of over 360 novice educators the district could have targeted. Instead it looked elsewhere to make other cuts. Photo by Christopher Cook

To deal with a nine percent budget cut, the Oklahoma City Public Schools is laying off more 130 teachers and administrative personnel for the 2010-2011 school year, said Dr. Karl Springer, superintendent.MidTown Central office employees, 900 N Klein, bore the brunt, with their budget slashed 25 percent. Officials consolidated many jobs to make up the reductions. Also, officials are taking steps such as selling vacant properties and renegotiating vendor contracts.

West Nichols Hills firming up $4 million redesign for MAPS for Kids facelift of 69-year-old school

Thursday, August 05 2010 13:48 By W.C. Martin Jr. Education

Maps for Kids renovations at West Nichols Hills Elementary School will take about one year to complete. Plans are to add 9,632 square feet of space for four new classrooms, plus updated kitchen, cafeteria and bathroom areas. Also, both foot and car traffic would be re-routed to relieve congestion. Photo provided

A meeting was held recently in the West Nichols Hills Elementary School cafeteria to discuss a proposal for spending almost $4 million to renovate the 69-year-old school and build new classrooms.

Oklahoma City University named one of nation's 'Great Colleges to Work For'

Thursday, August 05 2010 13:37 From Sentinel Staff Reports Education

Oklahoma City University was praised for its teaching environment, diversity, collaborative governance, teaching environment and many other strengths. Photo provided.

Oklahoma City University is one of the best colleges to work for in the nation for the third consecutive year, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education's "2010 Great Colleges to Work For" report released today. OCU also was listed on The Chronicle's honor roll, which recognizes the institutions honored the most in their size categories.

What can teachers learn from a small sea urchin at OSSM?

Wednesday, June 16 2010 06:55 From Sentinel Staff Reports Education

William Barnett, Newalla; Nathan Lawson, Midwest City, and Valerie Brown, Oklahoma City, study reproductive science. Middle school science teachers gained hands-on laboratory experience recently exploring physical and life sciences, as well as geoscience during the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics and ConocoPhillips five-day Summer Science Institute, said Lori Webster, OSSM spokeswoman.