Popular tax-credit program is helping kids

"Oklahoma gives tax breaks for CNG use, windmills, rehabilitating old buildings, and even American Ninja Warrior filming," Jonathan Small writes. "Why would we support those causes, but then refuse to use tax credits to boost education funding for Oklahoma children?"

Noble schools want to keep four-day weeks

FOX 25 has the story.

School administrators to lobby, play golf in OKC

It's fore the children.

Oklahoma high school student arrested after allegedly selling THC candy

KFOR has the story.

Poll: Teachers, parents overwhelmingly favor four-day school week

News 9 has the story.

Poteau teacher sold school's goat treadmills, kept the money

40/29 News has the story.

Mother says son was bullied at Oklahoma elementary school

KFOR has the story.

Chickasha Public Schools employee accused of inappropriate contact with students

"Deputies are investigating allegations against a former Chickasha Public Schools employee," News 9 reports. "On Saturday the school superintendent confirmed the staffer is accused of having inappropriate contact with students."

Family suing Harrah School District over abuse by former principal

The Oklahoman has the story.

Teenage girl finds new beginning

After "a living hell" which most of us can't imagine, this teenage girl found a new beginning, thanks to a Christian school and Oklahoma's tax-credit scholarship program.

Video shows Pryor student being punched, thrown against wall

The News on 6 has the story.

New survey asks pastors: Do schools influence faith formation?

Ray Carter has the story.

Dozens of districts adopted four-day weeks to save money

"In recent years, school districts across the state have adopted four-day-a-week calendars to save money and recruit teachers," The Oklahoman reports.

Most four-day districts are in rural communities, especially near the border where teachers can find a higher paying job in the neighboring state. Ninety-two school districts have four-day weeks, including Noble Public Schools, a 2,900-student district that switched to a four-day week in 2015 as a way to save money without cutting personnel or programs.

Superintendent Frank Solomon said the switch resulted in improved student engagement and fewer attendance and discipline issues. "We're maintaining a highly qualified teaching staff, our academics are not suffering, and we're saving some money," he told The Oklahoman.

Hugo Public Schools in southeast Oklahoma moved to a four-day schedule two years ago to recruit teachers, especially as neighboring districts had already made the switch, according to Superintendent Earl Dalke. Dalke said requiring all districts to have five-day weeks would take away the in-state competition. "Unless the state mandates the change, it is unlikely we will return to a five-day week," he said.