Oklahoma City Public Schools, Oklahoma
| Oklahoma City Public Schools |
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| Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| District details |
| Superintendent: Sean McDaniel |
| # of school board members: 8 |
| Website: Link |
Oklahoma City Public Schools is a school district in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Click on the links below to learn more about the school district’s...
- Superintendent
- School board
- Elections
- Budget
- Teacher salaries
- Academic performance
- Students
- Staff
- Schools
- Contact information
Superintendent
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This information is updated as we become aware of changes. Please contact us with any updates. |
Jamie Polk is the superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools. Polk was appointed superintendent in May 2024, taking office in July of that year. Polk's previous career experience includes working as the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education for the district beginning in 2019.[1][2]
Past superintendents
- Sean McDaniel was the superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools from 2018 to 2024. McDaniel's previous career experience includes working as the superintendent of Mustang Public Schools, a high school language arts teacher, and a coach.[3][4]
- Rebecca Kaye was the acting superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools in 2018.[5]
- Aurora Lora was the superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools from 2016 to 2018. Lora's previous career experience included working as the district's interim superintendent.[5]
- Rob Neu was the superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools from 2014 to 2016. Neu's previous career experience included working previously as a superintendent.[6]
- Dave Lopez was the interim superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools in 2014. Lopez's previous career experience included working as the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and the president of Southwestern Bell.[7]
School board
The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education consists of eight members elected to four-year terms. Seven members are elected by district with an eighth member elected at large to chair the board.[8]
| Office | Name | Date assumed office |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Public Schools school board, Chairperson | Paula Lewis | 2017 |
| Oklahoma City Public Schools school board, District 1 | Carole Thompson | April 12, 2021 |
| Oklahoma City Public Schools school board, District 2 | Lori Bowman | April 12, 2021 |
| Oklahoma City Public Schools school board, District 3 | Jessica Cifuentes | April 15, 2024 |
| Oklahoma City Public Schools school board, District 4 | Dana Meister | February 29, 2024 |
| Oklahoma City Public Schools school board, District 5 | Vacant | |
| Oklahoma City Public Schools school board, District 6 | Juan Lecona | April 10, 2023 |
| Oklahoma City Public Schools school board, District 7 | Meg McElhaney | December 9, 2019 |
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This officeholder information was last updated on July 1, 2024. Please contact us with any updates. | |
Elections
Members of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education are elected to four-year terms on a staggered basis.
Two seats on the board were up for general election on April 2, 2024.
Join the conversation about school board politics
Public participation in board meetings
The Oklahoma City Public Schools school board maintains the following policy on public testimony during board meetings:[9]
| " |
In order to maintain open lines of communication, the Board provides time for public comments during regular business meetings. Public comments will be heard only during the designated Public Comments portion of the Agenda at regularly scheduled business meetings of the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) Board of Education (hereafter referred to as "Board"). Public Comments shall not be heard at work sessions, emergency, or special meetings of the Board. Any person who is a student, parent, resident, employee, citizen, patron, stakeholder, or official representative of a recognized group or organization of this school district may address the Board for a maximum of three (3) minutes, when granted permission by the Board Chairperson. Where several people and/or delegations wish to address the same subject, a spokesperson must be selected. Unless otherwise provided for, Public Comments will only be allowed during periods specifically allotted for that purpose. Citizens of the district, including delegations or individuals, have the right, and are encouraged, to attend meetings of the Board and to listen to and observe its deliberations. In the interest of orderly conduct of Board meetings, spontaneous discussion from the floor shall not be permitted. The individual dignity of Board members, district employees, students, and all persons in attendance at Board meetings shall be respected; accordingly, no persons in attendance at Board meetings shall be subjected to abuse through these proceedings. Individuals are requested to seek resolution of specific problems at the school site or most appropriate central office level. Persons are encouraged to write to the Board or the superintendent with general questions, concerns, suggestions or to obtain information about the district. Each person will receive notice of the receipt of his or her written correspondence, which may include a response. Individuals who wish to address an agenda-related topic at a regularly scheduled business meeting are required to complete a Public Comments Sign-up Form before the Board meeting convenes. An OKCPS staff member will be at a table in the foyer outside the meeting auditorium with Public Comment Sign-up Forms between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting. This is the only time forms may be submitted to request to make public comments at Board meetings. Public comments must pertain to a topic listed on the agenda for the meeting when comments are made. All persons who speak at Board meetings are to meet all provisions of this policy. School Board policies, state law and federal law have established separate and distinct procedures and forums for collective bargaining issues, and for the resolution of employee grievances, employee complaints, employee suspensions and terminations, complaints against individual employees, pupil suspensions and appeals, political campaigns, and litigation. To avoid circumvention of those separate proceedings and ensure fairness to all parties concerned, no person will be allowed to speak regarding the following: (1) an issue subject to collective bargaining; (2) an issue in a pending lawsuit, complaint or investigation filed with an outside agency, wherein the school district, employee(s) or the Board is party; (3) a pending grievance; (4) a pending complaint filed with the school district; (5) any grievance or complaint should first be filed with District Administration prior to being submitted to the Board of Education; (6) a complaint against individual employee(s); (7) an employee disciplinary action, suspension, or termination; (8) a pupil suspension or appeal which may ultimately reach the Board of Education; (9) a solicitation for business for the District to buy a product or service; and, (10) disparaging comments about any individual, by name, shall not be permitted. Additionally, no person who has publicly announced or filed as a candidate for public office may speak during this session. The Board Chairperson may interrupt and terminate any presentation that is not in accordance with any of these criteria. Board members may not respond to speakers’ comments.[10] |
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District map
Budget
The following statistics were published by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Education.[11]
| SOURCE | AMOUNT | AMOUNT PER STUDENT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal: | $83,254,000 | $2,683 | 20% |
| Local: | $167,913,000 | $5,412 | 40% |
| State: | $173,412,000 | $5,589 | 41% |
| Total: | $424,579,000 | $13,685 |
| TYPE | AMOUNT | AMOUNT PER STUDENT | PERCENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Expenditures: | $433,405,000 | $13,969 | |
| Total Current Expenditures: | $404,893,000 | $13,050 | |
| Instructional Expenditures: | $202,561,000 | $6,528 | 47% |
| Student and Staff Support: | $70,822,000 | $2,282 | 16% |
| Administration: | $63,875,000 | $2,058 | 15% |
| Operations, Food Service, Other: | $67,635,000 | $2,179 | 16% |
| Total Capital Outlay: | $24,783,000 | $798 | |
| Construction: | $16,992,000 | $547 | |
| Total Non El-Sec Education & Other: | $904,000 | $29 | |
| Interest on Debt: | $2,825,000 | $91 |
Teacher salaries
The following salary information was pulled from the district's teacher salary schedule. A salary schedule is a list of expected compensations based on variables such as position, years employed, and education level. It may not reflect actual teacher salaries in the district.
| Year | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023[12] | $42,000 | $66,135 |
| 2021[13] | $41,500 | $65,635 |
| 2020 | $41,500 | $65,635 |
| 2019[14] | $39,001 | $63,869 |
| 2018 | $39,001 | $63,869 |
Academic performance
Each year, state and local education agencies use tests and other standards to assess student proficiency. Although the data below was published by the U.S. Department of Education, proficiency measurements are established by the states. As a result, proficiency levels are not comparable between different states and year-over-year proficiency levels within a district may not be comparable because states may change their proficiency measurements.[15]
The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:
| School year | All (%) | Asian/Pacific Islander (%) | Black (%) | Hispanic (%) | Native American (%) | Two or More Races (%) | White (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2021 | 7 | 35 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
| 2018-2019 | 12 | 41 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 26 |
| 2017-2018 | 12 | 42 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 25 |
| 2016-2017 | 17 | 47 | 8 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 30 |
| 2015-2016 | 47 | 76 | 35 | 46 | 44 | 47 | 62 |
| 2014-2015 | 51 | 76 | 39 | 51 | 51 | 53 | 63 |
| 2013-2014 | 47 | 75 | 34 | 48 | 44 | 49 | 58 |
| 2012-2013 | 54 | 80 | 44 | 54 | 53 | 63 | 65 |
| 2011-2012 | 53 | 78 | 43 | 52 | 54 | 60-64 | 65 |
| 2010-2011 | 54 | 80 | 44 | 53 | 54 | 65 |
The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:
| School year | All (%) | Asian/Pacific Islander (%) | Black (%) | Hispanic (%) | Native American (%) | Two or More Races (%) | White (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2021 | 10 | 31 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 16 | 28 |
| 2018-2019 | 16 | 40 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 21 | 35 |
| 2017-2018 | 16 | 36 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 22 | 36 |
| 2016-2017 | 19 | 40 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 38 |
| 2015-2016 | 49 | 73 | 40 | 46 | 52 | 50 | 67 |
| 2014-2015 | 51 | 69 | 43 | 48 | 55 | 56 | 66 |
| 2013-2014 | 49 | 70 | 41 | 47 | 49 | 50 | 64 |
| 2012-2013 | 52 | 71 | 47 | 49 | 54 | 62 | 66 |
| 2011-2012 | 52 | 71 | 46 | 48 | 54 | 60-64 | 68 |
| 2010-2011 | 52 | 71 | 47 | 47 | 53 | 67 |
The following table shows the graduation rate of district students each school year:
| School year | All (%) | Asian/Pacific Islander (%) | Black (%) | Hispanic (%) | Native American (%) | Two or More Races (%) | White (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | 65 | 80-89 | 67 | 65 | 50-54 | 65-69 | 55-59 |
| 2018-2019 | 74 | 80-89 | 74 | 75 | 60-64 | 60-69 | 65-69 |
| 2017-2018 | 67 | 80-84 | 65 | 73 | 40-44 | 60-69 | 54 |
| 2016-2017 | 73 | 70-74 | 78 | 73 | 65-69 | 70-79 | 65-69 |
| 2015-2016 | 71 | 80-84 | 76 | 71 | 65-69 | 40-59 | 61 |
| 2014-2015 | 74 | 80-84 | 79 | 75 | 55-59 | 60-79 | 60-64 |
| 2013-2014 | 73 | 85-89 | 77 | 71 | 55-59 | >=50 | 70-74 |
| 2012-2013 | 79 | 90-94 | 77 | 79 | 65-69 | 60-79 | 82 |
Students
| Year | Enrollment | Year-to-year change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 33,245 | 3.5 |
| 2021-2022 | 32,086 | 3.3 |
| 2020-2021 | 31,026 | -15.7 |
| 2019-2020 | 35,897 | -4.5 |
| 2018-2019 | 37,530 | -3.1 |
| 2017-2018 | 38,709 | -2.8 |
| 2016-2017 | 39,806 | -2.6 |
| 2015-2016 | 40,823 | -0.6 |
| 2014-2015 | 41,074 | 0.4 |
| 2013-2014 | 40,913 | -9.3 |
| 2012-2013 | 44,720 | 3.4 |
| 2011-2012 | 43,212 | 0.5 |
| 2010-2011 | 42,989 | 1.0 |
| 2009-2010 | 42,549 | 3.4 |
| 2008-2009 | 41,089 | 0.3 |
| 2007-2008 | 40,985 | 0.5 |
| 2006-2007 | 40,778 | 1.1 |
| 2005-2006 | 40,322 | -0.2 |
| 2004-2005 | 40,387 | -0.5 |
| 2003-2004 | 40,599 | -0.6 |
| 2002-2003 | 40,856 | 1.5 |
| 2001-2002 | 40,240 | 1.2 |
| 2000-2001 | 39,750 | 0.6 |
| 1999-2000 | 39,531 | 0.0 |
| RACE | Oklahoma City Public Schools (%) | Oklahoma K-12 STUDENTS (%) |
|---|---|---|
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 2.0 | 11.2 |
| Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.9 | 2.3 |
| Black | 19.6 | 7.9 |
| Hispanic | 57.4 | 19.8 |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Two or More Races | 7.2 | 12.9 |
| White | 11.5 | 45.5 |
Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.
Staff
As of the 2022-2023 school year, Oklahoma City Public Schools had 2,181.18 full-time classroom teachers. The student-teacher ratio was 15.24.
| TYPE | NUMBER OF TEACHERS |
|---|---|
| Prekindergarten: | 106.64 |
| Kindergarten: | 0.00 |
| Elementary: | 854.33 |
| Secondary: | 1,220.21 |
| Total: | 2,181.18 |
Oklahoma City Public Schools employed 11.88 district administrators and 148.92 school administrators as of the 2022-2023 school year.
| TYPE | NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATORS |
|---|---|
| District Administrators: | 11.88 |
| District Administrative Support: | 137.43 |
| School Administrators: | 148.92 |
| School Administrative Support: | 151.53 |
| TYPE | NUMBER OF OTHER STAFF |
|---|---|
| Instructional Aides: | 646.05 |
| Instruc. Coordinators & Supervisors: | 45.48 |
| Total Guidance Counselors: | 110.83 |
| Elementary Guidance Counselors: | 40.24 |
| Secondary Guidance Counselors: | 70.59 |
| Librarians/Media Specialists: | 57.89 |
| Library/Media Support: | 34.21 |
| Student Support Services: | 614.11 |
| Other Support Services: | 671.10 |
Schools
Noteworthy events
2015: Civil rights infractions
An investigation was opened in December 2015 by officials from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. This marked the office's fourth open investigation in the district and examined complaints that students with disabilities were given different treatment and were excluded or denied benefits. Officials in the school district refused to comment.[16]
In 2015, UCLA's Center for Civil Rights Remedies conducted a nation-wide study of suspension rates. This study compared district to district and found that Oklahoma City Public Schools had some of the highest suspension rates in the nation. During the 2011-2012 school year, almost 50 percent of the students from fifth-twelfth grade had been suspended, compared to the national suspension rate of ten percent.[17]
According to Dan Losen, the Director of the Center for Civil Rights Remedies, "these rates are just extraordinarily high." When broken out by race, the suspension rates were even higher for black students, with 75 percent of black males suspended and 54 percent of black females suspended during the 2011-2012 school year. This was the highest suspension rate of black students in the nation at the time, according to UCLA's report. Data from the U.S. Department of Education showed that these suspensions started in elementary school, with at least 40 percent of black students suspended during the 2011-2012 school year across 12 of the district's primary schools.[17][18]
The district was already under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for the alleged discrimination against black and Hispanic students. Superintendent Rob Neu agreed that there was a problem with the over-use of suspensions but questioned the report's ranking of the district. However, Neu stated that the discipline policies needed to be revised and that suspensions should only be used for the most serious offenses. He also believed that too many minor infractions, such as truancy, led to suspension.[17][18]
2014: Mascot change
In December 2014, the school board voted to change the school mascot of Capital Hill High School. The school's mascot had been the Capitol Hill Redskins. A local student club called the American Indian Organization had expressed interest in appearing before the board to ask for the mascot to be removed. The board heard from the district's Centennial group and the district's administrator for American Indian student services before unanimously voting to change the mascot.[19]
A committee of students, alumni, and community members was formed to choose a new mascot for Capitol Hill High School by the end of the spring semester.[20] Students and community members, however, did not express unanimous support for the change. On December 10, 2014, some students left class to protest the change. In response to the protest, the district released this statement:[21]
| " | This morning Capitol Hill High School students respectfully voiced their concerns of the Oklahoma City Public School District Board of Education’s decision to identify a new mascot for the school. Oklahoma City Public School District administration is proud of our students and support their decision to protest the Board of Education’s vote. This is an emotional issue for everyone involved and requires heartfelt and open conversations moving forward. Current and former Capitol Hill High School students will have an active role and strong voice in the process moving forward, and the District’s Native American Student Services Department will work with the student body and the community on providing additional information on the history of the term “Redskins”. Our goal is to be supportive of our students and respectful to the community during this process.[10] | ” |
| —Tierney Tinnin, OKCPS Communications Officer (2014)[21] | ||
2014: Miscalculated tax revenue
From 1992 to 2014, Oklahoma City Public Schools missed out on $2 million in state aid due to a miscalculation in state funding from ad valorem tax revenues. Due to the error, the school district recovered $2 million in state aid. Across the state, districts could have seen a total of $18 million in state aid that was missed due to the improper application of legally required funding. The ad valorem tax is a local property tax on commercial personal property and agricultural personal property.[22]
2014: Removal of school administrators
On January 10, 2014, Interim Superintendent Dave Lopez announced plans to remove at least ten school administrators in response to poor records of academic performance. Lopez promised significant changes in an early January meeting with school board members after the publication of state educational assessments. A November report by the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction found that 65 out of 93 district schools experienced decreased test scores from previous years. Lopez also promised the placement of at least 100 district officials into schools to spur academic improvement. The superintendent's plan gained support from board members including Lynne Hardin and Bob Hammack.[23]
Contact information
Oklahoma City Public Schools
615 N. Classen Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Phone: 405-587-0000
About school boards
Education legislation in Oklahoma
Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history.
See also
| Oklahoma | School Board Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Oklahoma City Public Schools
- Oklahoma State School Boards Association
- Oklahoma State Department of Education
Footnotes
- ↑ Oklahoma City Public Schools, "OKCPS Announces New Superintendent," May 11, 2024
- ↑ KFOR, "Oklahoma City Public Schools announces new superintendent," May 11, 2024
- ↑ News 9, "OKCPS Confirms Dr. Sean McDaniel As New Superintendent," accessed November 11, 2019
- ↑ Oklahoma Voice, "Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendent to resign over ‘irreconcilable’ differences with board member," February 26, 2024
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Oklahoma Gazette, "Same old story for OKCPS; the district seeks a new superintendent," accessed November 11, 2019
- ↑ Oklahoma's News 4, "KFOR obtains details of Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendent’s contract," accessed November 11, 2019
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Okie transplant Dave Lopez uses skill, talent to give back to his adopted state," accessed November 11, 2019
- ↑ Oklahoma City Public Schools, "Board of Education," accessed February 3, 2014
- ↑ Oklahoma City Public Schools, "Agenda Item Details - Procedures for Public Comments," accessed March 23, 2021
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Elementary/Secondary Information System," accessed June 17, 2024
- ↑ Oklahoma State Department of Education, "Local Salary Schedules (2022-2023)," accessed January 31,2024
- ↑ Oklahoma State Department of Education, "Local Salary Schedules (2020-2021)," accessed March 16, 2021
- ↑ Oklahoma City Public Schools, "OKCPS Teacher Salary Schedule - FY2019-B," accessed March 23, 2021
- ↑ U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC: EDFacts, "State Assessments in Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics- School Year 2018-19 EDFacts Data Documentation," accessed February 25, 2021
- ↑ KGOU, "Federal Government Opens New Civil Rights Probe Into Oklahoma City Public Schools," February 1, 2016
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 KOSU, "High Suspension Rates at Oklahoma City Public Schools Trigger Systemic Changes," March 25, 2015
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 KGOU, "High Suspension Rates Of Black Oklahoma City Students Starts In Elementary School," April 22, 2015
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Why Oklahoma City Public Schools chose now to do away with the Redskins nickname," December 14, 2014
- ↑ KFOR.com, "Oklahoma City high school to get new mascot," December 8, 2014
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 KFOR.com, "Update: Students, alumni protest change to Capitol Hill mascot," December 10, 2014
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Oklahoma school districts stand to recover millions in lost tax revenue because of misapplied law," December 19, 2014
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Some Oklahoma City school administrators face termination, superintendent says," January 13, 2014
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