Statement on the Oklahoma Supreme Court Decision from Shawn Hime, executive director, Oklahoma State School Boards Association: “I urge Gov. Mary Fallin to quickly call a special session and give legislators the opportunity to create a bipartisan budget that prioritizes Oklahoma’s children and public education. Starting the school year amid budget uncertainty is bad for children […]

Statement on FY18 state budget from Shawn Hime, executive director, Oklahoma State School Boards Association: “This legislative session began with hope and optimism that legislators were committed to delivering on a long-overdue teacher pay raise, structural budget reform that would provide a foundation for a long-term funding solution for public education and constructive education policy […]

Statement from Oklahoma State School Boards Association Executive Director Shawn Hime: “I’ve been optimistic this session that state leaders would live up to their public statements in support of public education and increased teacher pay. That optimism is quickly fading. We need bold leadership now. Legislators and state leaders need to quit having press conferences, […]

Climbing class sizes and shrinking educational opportunities will become more widespread for Oklahoma students next year if state funding for schools continues its unpredictable decline, according to a new survey. The survey from the associations representing school administrators and school board members asked school districts the effect of potential budget cuts for next school year. […]

Statement from Shawn Hime, executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, regarding the state board of education’s approval of a Norman charter school: “I am extremely disappointed that the state Board of Education blatantly ignored state law and the valid concerns of state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister in approving the LeMonde International Charter […]

The state’s only online library of digital content teaching resources aligned to Oklahoma academic standards has expanded to include new resources and tools for elementary and middle school teachers. The Oklahoma Library of Digital Resources, which first launched in August with resources for 10 high school courses, is an innovative, collaborative and cost-saving effort to […]

Statement from Shawn Hime, OSSBA executive director: “I appreciate the Senate for not moving forward with a divisive bill that distracts from the most important issues facing Oklahoma’s nearly 700,000 public school students: a historic teacher shortage and severe budget cuts. I’m confident that a collective focus among legislative, business and education leaders and parents […]

A proposed law to establish a voucher program in Oklahoma, Tulsa and Cleveland counties could divert available funding for Oklahoma public schools by as much as $30 million next year and $1.6 billion over the next decade, according a projected financial analysis from the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. Documents: Vouchers Annual Projection District-Level Voucher […]

Statement from OSSBA Executive Director Shawn Hime regarding the revenue certification at today’s Board of Equalization meeting: “Today’s budget news caps what has been an extraordinarily difficult budget year for schools. The need for a long-term funding plan for public education isn’t just a wish-list item — it’s an absolute necessity that should be a top […]

MEDIA CONTACT: Christy Watson Communications Director OSSBA 405.821.3209 (cell)   Statement from Shawn Hime, executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, on SQ 779: “The common message of those who opposed SQ 779 was that public education needs a long-term funding plan and resources to offer competitive teacher pay. While I’m disappointed in […]