‘A pervasive and perverted problem’

NonDoc editor in chief Tres Savage has a good editorial today about "a pervasive and perverted problem," namely, "the shocking number of Oklahoma educators who have been caught in sexual relationships with students." Read the whole thing here.

Coleman teacher pleads guilty to rape of student

"A Johnston County teacher pleaded guilty to having sex with a student," KXII reports.

"You don't really expect it. Especially in small towns, but it is happening more and more," said a Coleman High School graduate. He wanted to remain anonymous to protect his job. He said this isn't the first time this has happened in this town.

Bullied Oklahoma student researched suicide

"An Oklahoma mother is looking to change to how schools approach bullying after she says her daughter was bullied for months before she had to pull her out of school," KJRH reports.

Nicole Fleming's daughter Madi was a sixth grader at Central High Public Schools in Stephens County. Nicole says Madi was bullied for months before finally pulling her out two weeks ago. "When we found her Google history on her phone, which was how to commit suicide successfully, that was the end of it for me," Fleming said. "We were not going to send her back to that school."

Oklahoma student warns: 'Our planet is dying. This is time to panic'

1/ An estimated 1 million young people in 128 countries skipped school Friday to demand stronger climate policies in what may be one of the largest environmental protests in history. https://t.co/d05RCAplaf #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/njSwAWsg1i

— Vox (@voxdotcom) March 15, 2019

"It is very important that strikes and marches take place in fossil-fuel producing areas of the country, like Oklahoma," says Oklahoma high school senior Luke Kerr. "We are showing the rest of the country that we can fight for climate."

“This is not a rally,” says student Max Salcido. “This is a strike.” As The Oklahoman reports ("Students gather at Oklahoma State Capitol to plead for action on climate change"):

Part of an international movement of students, Salcido addressed the crowd demanding they speak up about the impacts of climate change. ... Across the nation, thousands of students left their classrooms on Friday to call for swift action to prevent or mitigate the effects of human-caused global warming and climate change. ... 

“It’s important to me because the deadline is approaching where things become catastrophic,” said Salcido, 18, who helped organize the event in Oklahoma. “Experts think in 11 to 15 years, things will be irreparable. I won’t even be 45 years old. That barely gives me the time to have a family, get a home or live the life that others have been privileged to (do).” ... 

At the demonstration, speakers gave action plans for how best to combat climate change and demands they wanted of the government in a possible “New Green Deal.” ... Fellow organizer Rebecca Yanez, 19, believes addressing climate change with progressive, sweeping ideas could help stem the tide and prevent potential disaster. “I’ve been raised with the mentality that if you see something wrong you have to do something about it,” Yanez said. “I’m a first-generation American, and I believe that the youth is going to be able to change the country for the better.” 

Salcido was cheered on as she urged middle school, high school, and college students to get proactive. Telling them to call their representatives and demand action. “Normal can only go on if we act normal,” she told the crowd. “Our planet is dying. This is time to panic.”

In other news, here are some other hysterical environmentalist claims that didn't pan out.

Fairfax parents upset after chunks of hair removed in drug testing

The News on 6 has the story.

Sapulpa teacher charged with lewd molestation

"Police say a teacher in Sapulpa is charged with lewd molestation after at least two students accused him of groping them," the News on 6 reports. "Police said he’d been grooming two girls for quite some time."

Oklahoma report cards ‘an utter disgrace’

"What does it say that Oklahoma's supposedly improved A-F school report cards grade schools on a curve?" The Oklahoman's editorial board asks today. "While there are now fewer A schools, many previously F-graded schools are apparently inflated out of the bottom category."

As my colleague Trent England observes: "Oklahoma school grades now not only set lower standards for schools with more minority students ... they also grade on a curve. In other words, it's not about excellence, just about being a little better than the building down the street. What an utter disgrace."

Former Deer Creek teacher, coach pleads guilty

"A former Deer Creek teacher and assistant basketball coach was sentenced to prison Wednesday following his arrest in a child sex sting," The Oklahoman reports.

Moore student arrested after being found with loaded handgun at school

"A student was found Wednesday morning with a loaded gun at Moore High School," KOCO reports.

Officers received a report that there was an odor of marijuana emitting from a restroom. They responded and found a student possibly involved. Officials said they had reason to believe the student in question was smoking marijuana. Officers searched the student’s bag and found a loaded handgun that turned out to be stolen. The student, a juvenile, was arrested.

Former Putnam City employee accused of child sex abuse

"A former attendance secretary for Putnam City Schools has been arrested for having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old male student," News 9 reports. The former employee "was arrested on several counts of rape in the second degree and lewd acts with a child, according to investigators."

Oklahoma octogenarian headed back to prison after new sex offense

"Repeat sex offender Bobby Otto Powers is headed back to prison, almost nine years after being released early because corrections officials concluded he was dying," The Oklahoman reports.

The retired schoolteacher first went to prison in 2005 to serve a 60-year sentence for child molestation. He served less than five. ... By 2017, Powers had become a regular at Hustler Hollywood, which sells adult novelty items and lingerie. He visited two to three times a week, spending most of his time looking over the pornographic movies, according to testimony at his trial.

‘Take that s**t off!’

"An Oklahoma high school senior was caught on video Monday harassing and bullying a fellow student over his support for President Donald Trump," Dave Urbanski reports. "The video shows the aggressor preventing the other student—who's wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat—from passing through an Edmond Santa Fe High School hallway."

The parents of the bullied student told KFOR: "We are deeply disturbed by the actions of the other student and have met with the Edmond City Attorney and are proceeding with municipal assault and battery charges. We are proud that our son has and will continue to show his patriotism, love for his country, and support for the president of the United States of America, Donald Trump."

Nineteen OKC schools receive 'F' on new report cards

"Zero students at two elementary schools in the Oklahoma City district who took state tests are prepared for the next grade, course or level, according to a new school accountability system launched by the state Education Department on Thursday," The Oklahoman reports.