Robert Neu started his new career this week as the uperintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools. It started with a text that said, “Tag, you’re it.”
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Streetcar route could impact street parking
Members of the MAPS 3 streetcar subcommittee heard a presentation from engineers on Wednesday that outlined more details about the circular route, which could include altering street parking and constructing a one-block line that is seldom used.
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School’s in
Senate Bill 573, if passed with updated language recommended by a working committee convened by Gov. Mary Fallin with a grant from the National Governors Association, could make Oklahoma a model for national charter school law, said Russ Simnick, senior director of state advocacy and services for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Oklahoma […]
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Booze clues
Sipping on low-point (3.2 percent) beers while strolling around the city is legit. But festivals have special permits, and you can’t bring your own beer within the zone in which these events are held, although some will offer drinks to buy. As usual, any place (including restaurants and indoor performance venues) selling beverages won’t let […]
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Take Shelter Oklahoma files lawsuit against attorney general
The lawsuit made its way to the state Supreme Court, which ruled last week that Pruitt’s changes to the petition were valid. However, the court also gave Take Shelter Oklahoma another 90 days to collect signatures. “We do believe the ballot language used by the attorney general is not fair. We think it’s inaccurate, and […]
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Metro briefs
Sales tax collections dip Oklahoma City’s combined sales tax collections were 5 percent below target for the year in March. “The thing that has had the biggest impact [in declining sales tax] is income levels are down a bit in the metro area,” said Doug Dowler, the city’s budget director. A response with major spending […]
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Retirement quandary
If signed into law, new employees hired from Nov. 1, 2015 within the Oklahoma Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS) will use the contribution plan, basically a 401(k). Employees working before this date will continue on the existing definedbenefit pension. Teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers and judges aren’t included in House Bill 2630, authored by Rep. […]
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Commentary: Student testing has lost its focus
By the first of April, the quest for knowledge often came to a complete halt.
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Written on the wall(s)
The OKC Police Department’s Graffiti Unit was quick to point out that these criminals aren’t like other criminals, gang members who “tag” public property to mark territory. These criminals are much more serious — they do it for the thrills. A NewsOK report stated, “[They] are drawn to the excitement of almost being caught.” These […]
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Teacher rally at state capitol draws 25,000
Respect is what they demanded. Respect in the form of better pay, fewer standardized tests and increased funding. “Things need to change,” said Janie Petersen, a councilor from Claremore Public Schools outside Tulsa. “Our [state leaders] don’t respect teachers, they don’t even respect the kids. It’s hurtful.” Initial estimates put the crowd at over 25,000 […]