OSBI investigating student sexual assault at McClain County school

News 9 has the story.

The under-reported story of non-teaching bloat

Oklahoma's "panhandling teacher," Teresa Danks, continues to get a lot of publicity. Whenever I see the latest story, I'm reminded of an email exchange I had with her earlier this year.

From: Brandon Dutcher
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 9:26 AM
To: Danks, Teresa
Cc: swhaley@fox23.com
Subject: TPS classroom supplies

Hello Mrs. Danks (cc: Sara Whaley),  

I saw your story on FOX 23. Given that TPS employs more non-teachers (3,258) than teachers (2,377), it’s pretty clear that the money isn’t getting to the classroom. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the TPS organizational chart, but it really is a sight to behold. TPS employs 22 individuals with salaries in excess of $100,000—several of whom have the job title “executive assistant.”

The surprising truth is that, even when adjusted for inflation, TPS per-student spending in 2016 ($12,180) is only down slightly from a decade ago ($12,261). But the money hasn’t gone to teacher salaries or to classroom supplies. Indeed, using data that the Oklahoma State Department of Education reports to the U.S. Department of Education, economist Benjamin Scafidi points out that between 1993 and 2014, TPS enrollment decreased by 3 percent and the number of teachers decreased by 4 percent—but non-teaching staff increased by 147 percent. 

I think it would make sense for policymakers to redirect some of the current money towards the classroom.

Cordially,

Brandon Dutcher
Senior Vice President
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, Inc.
1401 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405.602.1667

She replied the next day, thanking me for the information and asking if she could call on me in the future to discuss it in more detail. Regrettably, she never has.

Mrs. Danks (and, more importantly, journalists) would do well to take a look at Oklahoma's non-teaching staffing surge.

Amid safety concerns, former Douglass coach terminated

"The former head football coach at Douglass Mid-High School has been fired because of an undisclosed impropriety," The Oklahoman reports.

"The State Board of Education and Oklahoma State Department of Education consider student safety paramount," Brad Clark, general counsel for the state Board of Education, said in a statement Tuesday. "After receiving a report that student safety had been jeopardized at Douglass Mid-High School, the State Board acted to suspend Mr. Alexander's teaching certificate on August 24, 2017, pending a full investigation and resolution thereof."

As OKC teacher returns to classroom, district says safety ‘is our top priority’

"A teacher accused of 'inappropriate conduct' is scheduled to return to the classroom Monday, nearly two months after being suspended with pay," The Oklahoman reports.

Beth Harrison, the district's chief communications officer, declined to disclose the name of the teacher nor the nature of the allegation, which was reported by students. "OKCPS investigated the allegations and took appropriate action," Harrison said in a statement. "Now, the decision has been made for the teacher to return to full duty effective Monday, November 27, 2017. As always, the safety of OKCPS students and staff is our top priority."

OKC student attacks teacher at school

"An investigation is underway after police say a 12-year-old student attacked a teacher at a school in Oklahoma City," KSWO reports.

According to authorities, the 12-year-old suffers from a behavioral disorder and had refused to wear his school uniform. According to court documents, he punched his teacher in the side of the face before punching and kicking out glass windows and ripping out a water fountain. 

A police report says the teacher was unable to restrain the student due to a district policy. "During this rampage the kid was on, when he broke one of the windows, he sustained a severe cut on the calf of one of his legs. That basically brought this action to an end,” Sgt. Gary Knight with the Oklahoma City Police Department explained.

OU students tout benefits of homeschool background

Good article today in the OU student newspaper.

Two teachers injured in OKC student fight caught on camera

"A brawl among seven students in the middle of a high school hallway ended with teachers injured and students with costly fines, and the whole thing was caught on camera," KOCO reports.

Yukon teacher arrested for second-degree rape

KFOR has the story.

Oklahoma schools have history of sexual assaults involving athletes

KTUL has the story.

Family says Tulsa elementary school refuses to acknowledge child’s disabilities

KJRH has the story.

Tulsa mother upset after drugs handed out at school

"Mary Josephson says she's frustrated and scared after learning that a Memorial Junior High School student gave out a drug to several people last week," the News on 6 reports.

Josephson’s son, who goes to Memorial Junior High, told her that it was a chaotic scene. "People were throwing up, some people were high and some people were like zombies,” said Josephson. Josephson says she believes the district should've notified all parents of students at the school.

More regulation and less-diverse school options

"Our results suggest that burdensome packages of regulations likely limit schooling choices in an unfortunate way," Corey A. DeAngelis and Lindsey Burke write. "Policymakers and school choice advocates interested in establishing a robust universe of education options that are responsive to family needs and preferences should limit red tape and enable private schools to retain their unique identity and character."

Purcell parents claim teacher’s negligence led to daughter’s severe injury

KFOR has the story.