![](https://www.soonerpolitics.org/uploads/1/6/2/2/16224166/capitolbeat-vertical2_orig.png)
Oklahoma City Public Schools Board Chair: For Charles Henry
Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
![]()
The City Sentinel Endorsement
Paula Lewis, incumbent in the chairperson’s position at the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education, ran second in the February 9 primary election. Seeking reelection, she ran behind Charles Henry, the current District 1 board member.
Among those who voted, Lewis garnered 2,042 votes (43.76 percent) to 2,244 voes (48.14 percent) for Henry. The Tuesday, April 6 “run-off” (actually the “general”) election was triggered because Wilfredo Santos-Rivera earned 378 votes (8.10 percent). That kept Board Member Henry from securing an outright win.
Santos-Rivera has endorsed his former rival, saying, “Charles Henry believes in finding the best ways of learning for students.”
Other supporters of the challenger, who led in the primary, include: Imelda Rivera-Melendez, a graduate of Northwest Classen High and grandparent of a current public school elementary student, Cesar Armenta, a graduate of Southeast High and attorney, Jo McDermott, a graduate of Northeast High, and Dr. Marc Wilson, a John Marshall High alum.
They are not alone. Suzanne Broadbent of the Putnam Heights Neighborhood, is the woman who – while working at the State Capitol – crafted the legislation that made the board’s top position elective. An attorney, Broadbent hopes voters will approve a change in the top job: “Charles Henry exemplifies the values that the Chair position was created for.”
State Representative Jason Lowe, City Councilwoman Nikki Nice, Eastside leader Kevin Cox, Former Interim Superintendent Linda Steele Brown, former City Councilman Eric Groves, the Melvin Guss family, Pastor John A. Reed of Fairview Baptist Church, and Rev. Richard Laskey of Israel Chapel CME Church.
And businessman Jack L. Werner, owner of A to Z Inspections and a regular columnist in The City Sentinel print edition says: “Charles Henry has a willingness to listen to the concerns of citizens. As a board member he is responsive to community issues. Please vote Charles Henry for Oklahoma City Board Chair.”
Jack is usually right, and absolutely right in this case:
For the top board job in the Oklahoma Public Schools, The City Sentinel endorses Charles Henry.
Oklahoma City Public Schools Board Chair: For Charles Henry Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
0 Comments
![]()
City Sentinel Endorsements
The City Sentinel’s endorsement philosophy, detailed in print and online in recent years, leads the newspaper to make the best possible recommendation, in races where where a preference is indicated. The City Sentinel does not intend nor imply, unless otherwise stated, criticism of those who are not endorsed.
The City Sentinel has, in the past, endorsed Independents, Libertarians, Republicans and Democrats, depending on the job and the candidates.
Endorsements from The City Sentinel newspaper are an affirmation of the person endorsed – not necessarily a criticism of other candidates. This approach aims to encourage qualified individuals to seek public office and serve our community and state. Endorsements reflect the preferences of the newspaper’s owners/publisher.
Our pattern has been to support the best candidate possible in partisan primaries, and await voters’ selection of nominees before final decisions are made for the general election.
In non-partisan primaries, the newspaper sometimes commends two choices to voters.
A source of some confusion is that in non-partisan races, a “run-off” election is the “general election” for certain elective positions.
For the Tuesday, April 6, 2021 elections in Oklahoma City and Edmond, The City Sentinel newspaper endorses these candidates:
Oklahoma City Council Ward 3
Barbara Young
Oklahoma City Council Ward 1
Shay Varnall
Oklahoma City Board of Education Chairperson
Charles Henry
Oklahoma City Board of Education District 2
James McHenry
Mayor of Edmond
Darrell Davis
For the Oklahoma City and Edmond elections on April 6, Recommendations to the voters Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]() The City Sentinel Endorsement Voters in Oklahoma City Council Ward 3 have two qualified hopefuls on the April 6 election ballot in Southwest Oklahoma City. Ward 3 Oklahoma City Council contest: Of two good options, Barbara Young is the best Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK Parent Voice Oklahoma thanks State Board of Education for support of Public Charter Schools4/3/2021 ![]()
OWASSO – Parents helping to lead Parent Voice Oklahoma (PVO) organizations thanked the Oklahoma State Board of Education for approving a settlement that increases funding for charter schools.
In a press release sent to The City Sentinel, CapitolBeatOK.com and other news organizations, Leaders at PVO said the board’s decision to support charter schools is a win for parents looking for more choices in education.
“Too often, our system of public education fails to offer parents choices, is not responsive to their needs and ignores their preferences entirely,” said Jennifer Johnson, a PVO advocate from Owasso.
“One bright spot in that system has been charter schools, which offer parents and students greater options in curricula and format. We are thrilled to see the Board of Education vote to provide these schools with more resources and support.”
Dana Walsh, also with PVO, said she saw the Board’s March 26 decision as part of a larger trend towards positive reform.
“For a long time, we’ve had an education establishment that viewed itself as the only game in town, and the attitude has been ‘my way or the highway,’" said Walsh.
“That served their interests and bottom line, but it wasn’t a system that worked for parents or students. Now that’s changing. We have a governor who is listening to parents and a board that is listening to parents. We want choices; we want input; we want a seat at the table. This decision by the board is another sign that the era of special interests ruling public education is over.”
For more information on Parent Voice Oklahoma, go to parentvoiceok.org.
www.CapitolBeatOK.com
Parent Voice Oklahoma thanks State Board of Education for support of Public Charter Schools Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK Unmasking the newly-opened Omni Oklahoma City Hotel Great works of art and places to relax or dine4/3/2021 ![]()
Pat McGuigan, The City Sentinel
In late January, The Omni Oklahoma City Hotel opened downtown. Some locals believe this facility is a cut above even “upper-end” facilities across the nation.
Opening the “first of its kind” Mokara Spa was the focus of the early acclaim for the Omni, followed soon thereafter by news features about the arrival of David Gilbert as executive chef and Jamel Taggart as director of food and beverage. Taggart keeps an eye on a diverse range of dining options, and places to enjoy a drink in the evening.
But as things settle in for Omni (literally “all things”), the facility may become known a nice place to check out emerging Oklahoma artists.
According to a press release from a press representative for the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, “stunning works of art” are featured at various locations inside the city’s newest hotel.
The works “created by local Oklahoma artists are featured across the walls and beautifully tie in our state’s greatest elements. The artwork allows Omni to feel unique to Oklahoma with elements of the state’s pastoral landscape and earthy tones. Omni looks forward to working with more local artists throughout the state in order to rotate the artwork inside the hotel to further provide beautiful displays to the guests and visitors of Omni Oklahoma City.”
Omni did not just “show up” in Oklahoma City. The operation soon became … one of us.
Unmasking the newly-opened Omni Oklahoma City Hotel – Great works of art, and places to relax or dine Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY -- School choice advocates recently praised the Oklahoma Legislature for advancing two landmark education bills that, taken together, empower parents and increase accountability in public schools.
In late March, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 783 by a vote of 65-30. Senate Bill 783 allows for true and transparent open transfers within the public school system and provides that school districts must accept transfer students unless they are at or over capacity. The bill now heads to the desk of Governor Kevin Stitt for his consideration.
“As a parent, if you believe there is a better option for educating your child, you should have the right to pursue that option,” said ChoiceMatters Executive Director Robert Ruiz. “S.B. 783 is a huge step in ensuring that the quality of your education is not tied to your zip code or your family’s income. This is a major win for all parents, especially those looking for more choices within the public school system.”
Also, the Oklahoma State Senate passed House Bill 2078 on March 31. It amends the school funding formula to reflect more current student enrollment counts. The current system, which relies on a “three year high” student count, allows multiple schools to collect funds for the same students (a loophole known as counting “ghost students).
H.B. 2078 passed 27-19 in the Senate and headed to governor’s desk.
The measure did not gather dust on the chief executive’s desk, as he signed it at a Blue Room ceremony that same afternoon.
“It’s important for schools to be funded for the students they are actually educating, not the students they educated two years ago,” said Ruiz. “First, it protects the integrity of the system and ensures tax dollars are being spent as they were intended. Second, it is another tool which provides parents with more leverage and power in the public school system. If a school is growing because of its performance or because it offers services others do not, it should benefit from that. HB 2078 allows parents to take their dollars with them when they select the school of their choice.”
Note: Pat McGuigan contributed to this report.
School Choice Advocates thank Oklahoma lawmakers for passing landmark education bills Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
Note from Publisher Patrick B. McGuigan: The City Sentinel newspaper and its online news website (www.City-Sentinel.com ) advocates criminal justice reform. The management and staff have long supported data-proven, pragmatic programs which, combined with generous and determined individuals, aim to help people build capacity for personal success. The Goodwill program described here is a leading good example of such efforts. We salute Goodwill and its leadership – and all organizations and individuals working to provide education, skills-training and other practical assistance for individuals who have been incarcerated or are at risk of incarceration. Oklahoma can, methodically and over the course of time, become more peaceful in daily living – and more respectful of the possibilities for non-violent people who have been or at risk of incarceration.
Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma’s mission is taking a step further when it comes to justice-involved individuals.
Goodwill is a local nonprofit providing jobs and training to individuals with an incarceration history dealing with non-violent and non-sex-related crimes. As a result, hundreds of justice-involved Oklahomans have been able to acquire skills and job training that they will be able to take with them throughout their lives and a new journey.
“As many of us know, Oklahoma has some of the highest incarceration numbers in the country,” Goodwill Director of Training and Employment Services Amara Lett said. “This means every year, thousands of individuals are being released on parole without direction or a source of income.”
This is where Goodwill and its numerous employee support programs steps in. Through the Begin at Home (https://ift.tt/3cM75AZ) program, Goodwill is able to offer employees supportive “wraparound services” through community partners to gain access to much-needed tools and resources ensuring their success. People released from incarceration often step into difficult circumstances and benefit from the Begin at Home program to provide support in the day-to-day transition back in society.
Through a new partnership with the Department of Correction and Probation and Parole Services, Goodwill hires Oklahomans in transitional facilities to jump start their skills training before being released from the system.
One example is Amanda Parsons, a Goodwill employee on pre-release with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. She currently works at one of the Goodwill retail locations as a cashier, and with the skills she’s learning at Goodwill, she plans to build a career and brighter future for herself.
“It’s success stories like Amanda’s that make what we’re doing worth it,” Lett continued. “A good number of the people we’re helping have nowhere else to turn when they’re released, and many employers won’t hire or work with anyone with a felony conviction.”
Goodwill’s approach to second-chance employment efforts illustrate how the nonprofit works with employees to build skills. These are skills that will help them advance to higher positions in Goodwill and garner new career opportunities.
Many employees begin at a retail location in an entry-level position, but through support from Goodwill, can soon be promoted to management and supervisory positions, which allows for more diverse employment opportunities with Goodwill and other employers in central Oklahoma.
“Incarceration is not the beginning or end of anyone’s story,” Goodwill CEO Jim Priest said. “It only takes one moment to change the trajectory of someone’s life, and Goodwill offers a first step in the right direction.”
In addition to Goodwill’s mission services, those who donate at one of 17 Attended Donation Centers across central Oklahoma have another chance to help justice-involved individuals as Goodwill has donated clothes to the Diversion Hub in Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma County Jail.
To learn more about these programs and how Goodwill is changing lives through its mission, visit www.okgoodwill.org.
Goodwill offers second chances to justice-involved individuals Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
A verse from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 10, was getting attention all over the world on Tuesday (March 30, 2021).
The original context, from Luke’s rendering of the Good News, concerns the mission Jesus of Nazareth gave to 72 of his disciples to travel to areas where he planned soon to visit.
He directed them to travel without baggage, trusting in His message – and the power they discovered, speaking in His name.
When they returned rejoicing over what had transpired in their various journeys, the Nazarene cautioned them, “do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Here’s Luke 10:18, “in the news” and widely quoted, as rendered in some standard translations:
New International Version: He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ...”
New Living Translation: “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!”
English Standard Version: And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ...”
King James Bible: And he said unto them, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. ...”
New American Bible: Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. ...”
The verse (and its place in Luke’s story) has particular meaning for followers of Jesus.
In troubled times, its use in a marketing pitch for footwear is odd, and has triggered a clash among powerful economic interests. More broadly, for those who are sincere people of faith, and perhaps for many of those who respect such folk, its latest use may seem curious. It was apparently intended to give offense to many.
For this historian and journalist and observant soul, this is a powerful reminder that even as many aim to erode or to destroy or to banish from memory the traditional understanding and meaning of words, the words in Sacred Scripture retain power.
This moment brings comprehension of what was intended when first these words entered into common usage:
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24: 35, King James Version)
Reflection: Words from Luke, in the News on March 30, 2021 Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
Patrick B. McGuigan
Senator Kim David, R-Porter, is the Oklahoma Senate Majority Floor Leader.
David is among the most prominent legislative supporters of managed care as Oklahoma moves toward Medicaid expansion over the balance of this year calendar year.
More than alliteration, there are two other professional women with a “K” name who are passionate in their belief that Oklahoma must advance wisely as state leaders develop Oklahoma’s voter-approved version of expansion.
Kaitlyn Finley began as a summer intern but is now a policy research fellow, focused on healthcare and welfare policy, at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA).
The state’s leading “think tank” supporting free market public policy reforms brought the graduate of the University of Science and Arts in Oklahoma to Lincoln Boulevard after she interned for the Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C., and worked at the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
For the last three years, she has crafted more than six dozen readable and referenced essays on various aspects of health system (and other) issues. Sometimes her focus is on a particular piece of legislation, unsurprising given OCPA’s consistent emphasis on the real world of policy development.
Other times Finley’s deeply informed examinations touch on broader themes of public policy – such as the ways that consumer choice is disrupting the status quo, how individual choice can empower those who have felt powerless and scores of other themes.
Her support for a system of Managed Care for Medicaid Expansion, evidenced in comments for this reporter’s March 18 analysis, does not mean she is uncritical of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the state government agency that has advanced Governor Kevin Stitt’s agenda for managed care. She said in a recent interview that a 2020 audit “found the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) lacks necessary eligibility and fraud prevention processes to ensure proper program accountability with taxpayer dollars. Perhaps more existing resources should be directed to properly verify applicants and provider reimbursement.”
Another of this writer’s designation “Special K’s” is Karma Robinson, president of GR Pro, a public affairs firm that includes both policy advocacy and independent political action in its portfolio.
She is guiding the work of Oklahomans for Better Medicaid, making her an important voice in countering Managed Care naysaying from the powerful Oklahoma State Medical Association and its allies.
In February, a kick-off press release for OFBM described the group as “a multistakeholder advocacy organization committed to building a Medicaid system that improves access, quality, outcomes and affordability. ...”
The group includes “patient advocates, clinicians, community-based organizations, health care leaders and providers, health plans, and others who are champions of Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care. OFBM plans to work closely with key stakeholders as Oklahoma begins to modernize its Medicaid program.
Members of OFBM, Robinson said, “believe Medicaid Managed Care is the best way to improve the health and wellbeing of Medicaid beneficiaries in Oklahoma by expanding access to care, improving the health care experience and reducing costs.”
Groups involved with OFBM include Oklahoma Charitable Clinic Association, Youth Villages, Progressive Independence, BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma, UnitedHealth Group, and the Hope Research Center.
The group has established a presence on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Kaitlyn Finley, Karma Robinson and, to be sure, Kim David.
In the mind of a veteran analysis of events under the dome at the State Capitol, this season’s “Special K’s.”
Note: This reflection first appeared at The SouthWest Ledger, March 25 print edition.
https://ift.tt/3w98Ob5
It is reposted here with permission.
The Special K’s: At least two more than Senator Kim David Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
Ellyn Hefner, The City Sentinel (updated) Editor’s Note: This article was in The City Sentinel print edition for March 2021, then online. It is revised and updated here for posting on CapitolBeatOK by editor Pat McGuigan. Note from the author: For this article, I touched base with Tim Allen, Deputy Treasurer for Communications & Program Administration for State Treasurer Randy McDaniel. This resulting article updates House Bill 2178 -- legislation that would provide a deduction for Oklahomans contributing to the OKSTABLE account. I thank Treasurer McDaniel for his support of this proposal. And Dear Readers: Get to know your legislators and have them support House Bill 2178! The Oklahoma Legislature has an opportunity to do something to help people with disabilities. At the request of State Treasurer Randy McDaniel, legislation has been introduced to provide an Oklahoma income tax deduction for contributions to the Oklahoma STABLE Program, as known as OKSTABLE. “I am asking the Legislature to create a state income tax deduction for contributions to the Oklahoma STABLE Program, the state-endorsed ABLE program to help people with disabilities,” Treasurer McDaniel said. “Providing a state income tax deduction similar to what is currently available for the Oklahoma College Savings Plan is simply the right thing to do. It will encourage family and friends to contribute and save for the needs of their loved ones with disabilities.” ABLE, which stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience, is a tax advantaged program to help people with disabilities save for expenses to improve their quality of life without endangering their eligibility for essential benefit programs. House Bill 2178 by Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, would provide a deduction from Oklahoma taxable income equal to contributions to the Oklahoma STABLE Program, or OKSTABLE. It would be limited to $10,000 per year for single taxpayers and $20,000 for couples filing jointly. The language is the same as a longstanding state tax deduction for contributions to the state’s college savings programs, the direct-sold Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan and the advisor-sold Oklahoma Dream 529. The idea behind making the deduction similar is that people with disabilities deserve at least the same consideration as parents saving for their children’s college savings, and I would argue they deserve so much more. The bill was unanimously approved by the House Appropriations and Budget Committee the first week of the legislative session in February. It is identical to a measure filed last year which passed the House but was not enacted due to the emergencies created by the COVID-19 pandemic. McDaniel urged people with disabilities and their family members to contact their state representatives and senators to express their support for H.B. 2178. “Members of the Legislature stay very busy during the session, and they are asked to vote hundreds of times on various bills,” he said. “Hearing from constituents about pending legislation helps make them aware of the issues involved and would help ensure passage.” It is believed the tax deduction would help the program grow as not only the account owners – the people with disabilities – would be able to contribute and claim the deduction, but friends and family members could also take advantage of the deduction through their contributions. OKSTABLE even has an option for friends and family to make electronic gift contributions through its website at OKSTABLE.org. The program itself was launched in May 2018. After one year, it contained 177 accounts with $612,000. Today, OKSTABLE has grown to 664 accounts with $2.9 million. The growth has come through a lot of hard work by a group of volunteers, the OKSTABLE Ambassadors, that give of their time and energy to spread the word about the advantages of the program. But It’s not so much about account numbers and dollar amounts, what really counts is that each account represents an Oklahoma with disabilities that is allowed the opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life. With an Oklahoma tax deduction for contributions, OKSTABLE can be so much more and it can help many more people. NOTE: Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in print early in March. House Bill 2178 secured unanimous approval in the state House, then went to the State Senate Appropriations Committee. It gained “do pass” recommendation on Wednesday (March 24), and is awaiting further action in the upper chamber. Contact Ellyn Novak Hefner, ChSNC, Special Needs Consultant via email at [email protected]. Hefner is guiding The City Sentinel’s continuing series of reports on the STABLE program and related policy issues. Proposal before Legislature would provide deductions for OKSTABLE contributions Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK |
Pat McGuiganThe dean of all Oklahoma Journalism, Mr Patrick McGuigan; has a rich history of service in many aspects of both covering the news and producing the information that the public needs to know. Archives
September 2021
Categories |