Tag Archives: Education Oklahoma

School Board Stipend Increase: No Joke!

Is it an Oklahoma thing to give more money to criminals, shelter them from responsibility, then re-elect them?

Opinion: Questions came to mind yesterday with the arrival of notice that the Oklahoma Senate approved a bill by Tulsa’s Sen. Regina Goodwin to update the stipend school districts may provide to board members for attending board meetings.

Only the largest school districts pay stipends as most school board members in Oklahoma serve for the benefit of their community’s children. The state’s two largest districts, Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) and Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) do pay and such payment don’t much improve local education. Together both districts draw our national education rankings down the drain and both have failed audits by the Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector office. They fail to teach or account.

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Parents Praise School-Choice Program

March 16, marked the beginning of the enrollment period for the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program, which allows families to obtain refundable tax credits to pay for private-school tuition in the coming 2026-2027 school year. Enrollment will remain open until June 15, 2026.

“In Oklahoma, we trust parents to make the best decisions for their children’s education, and this program helps eligible families choose private school for their kids,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt. “We’re proud to expand educational freedom and give all Oklahoma families more options.”

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What OK’s Literacy Debate Is Missing

Oklahoma’s 2026 literacy bills represent one of the most serious legislative pushes for early reading improvement in recent memory. Lawmakers across chambers have introduced proposals addressing screening, intervention, coaching, summer programs, and—in some cases—third-grade promotion standards. That is encouraging.

But after studying these bills closely, I believe the real question facing Oklahoma is not whether we pass “a literacy bill.” It is whether we build a coherent literacy system.

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Gentner Drummond’s Agenda

Tribal Relations, Drug Grows, School Audits, and Accountability

A recent meeting of Tulsa’s longest running breakfast discussion group hosted by Jon M. McGrath, featured Gentner Drummond who outlined his background, current role as Oklahoma’s Attorney General, his candidacy for governor, and general policy priorities directing his public service. AG Drummond also welcomed complex audience questions. The audience included former-Interim President of the Pawnee Nation Business Council, Charles Lone Chief as a most honored guest.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Charles Lone Chief
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Gov. Kevin Stitt’s State of the State 2026

State of the State 2026, as prepared for delivery:

Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell – It’s been great to serve alongside you for the last 7 years. Speaker Kyle Hilbert and President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton – thank you for your leadership in this building. It’s an honor to serve with you. Members of the 60th Legislature and statewide elected officials – I’m looking forward to working with each of you this session. Members of the Judiciary – thank you for being here today. To my cabinet members – thank you for everything you do for Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, February 2, 2026
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