Oklahoma City Board of Education: Responsibilities and Governance

The Oklahoma City Board of Education plays a vital role in shaping the educational landscape of the state. This article delves into the responsibilities of the Oklahoma City Board of Education, its structure, powers, and the constraints placed upon it, drawing upon information from the Oklahoma State Department of Education and relevant Oklahoma statutes.

Overview of the Oklahoma State Department of Education

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is the state education agency responsible for determining policies and directing the administration and supervision of Oklahoma's public school system. The State Board of Education governs the Department and comprises the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction and six members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate.

The State Board of Education was created in its current form in 1971 during Governor David Hall's term. The Department is led by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who also chairs the State Board of Education. Initially, in 1907, the State Board of Education consisted of the State Superintendent, the Governor, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General.

Composition and Eligibility of the Board

According to the Oklahoma School Code of 1971, the Board consists of seven members: the State Superintendent (an elected official serving as Chair) and six members appointed by the Governor with the Oklahoma Senate's advice and consent. To serve on the Board, members must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Appointments take effect on April 2 of the appointment year. Excluding the State Superintendent, each congressional district must have at least one member, with remaining members appointed from the state at large, ensuring no more than one member represents a given county, city, or town.

Responsibilities and Powers of the Board

The Board is responsible for establishing the duties of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who is the chief executive officer of the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma public school system. These duties include advising the Board on policies and administration. The Board organizes and controls the administrative and supervisory agencies, divisions, and personnel of the State Department of Education.

Budget and Financial Oversight

The Board submits a departmental budget to the Governor based on the major functions of the State Department of Education and the needs of local school districts. Appropriation requests include State Aid to local schools, funds for free textbooks, school lunches, and Indian education. The Oklahoma Legislature appropriates funds to be used by the Board as determined by the Board.

Reporting and Accountability

The Board prepares and delivers an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1 each year. This report includes detailed statistics and information on enrollment, attendance, expenditures (including State Aid), and other pertinent data for all public schools in the State. Reports from each division, department, institution, or agency under the Board's supervision are also included. The Board may make recommendations for improving the state's public school system in this annual report.

Curriculum and Instruction

The Board formulates and adopts the curriculum, courses of study, and other instructional aids necessary for adequate instruction of Oklahoma’s students in public schools. It also licenses and certifies instructional, supervisory, and administrative personnel in the state's public schools.

School Governance and Regulations

The Board has the authority to issue rules governing the classification, inspection, supervision, and accrediting of all public nursery, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools, as well as on-site educational services provided by public school districts or state-accredited private schools.

Reporting Requirements and Compliance

The Board can require any person with administrative control of school districts in Oklahoma to make regular or special reports regarding their schools' activities. The Board can withhold state funds or official recognition, including accreditation, until required reports are filed and accepted.

Health and Safety

The Board is responsible for the health and safety of school children and school personnel while under the jurisdiction of school authorities.

Key Divisions within the Department

Professional Services Division: Led by an Assistant State Superintendent, this division coordinates the certification and continuing education of Oklahoma's professional educators.
Financial Services Division: Also led by an Assistant State Superintendent, this division manages the disbursement and auditing of state funds to local school districts.

The Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) Strategic Plan

OKCPS operates under a strategic plan that outlines the district's direction, values, and priorities. This plan has evolved through two major cycles: the 2015-2020 Great Commitment and the 2020-2025 Great Commitment. In November 2023, the OKCPS Board of Education adopted a Student Outcomes Focused Governance (SOFG) model to improve student outcomes.

Voices for the Future Campaign

In Fall 2024, the Board launched the Voices for the Future campaign, gathering input from over 16,000 students, families, staff, and community members. This feedback led to the adoption of three student outcome goals in June 2025:

Increasing early literacy proficiency
Increasing middle school math proficiency
Increasing early college and career experiences in high school

Guardrails

The Board also adopted four guardrails to protect community values while pursuing these goals. The OKCPS Strategic Plan Strategy Map visually connects the district's foundational elements, goals, values, and long-term aspirations.

Core Elements

The Core includes the vision statement, mission statement, district motto, and four cornerstones, defining the district's beliefs about students and learning.

Drivers

The Drivers are conditions necessary for improvement, including:

Belonging, safety, and well-being
Educator efficacy
An aligned theory of action
Targeted professional development
Strong student-teacher relationships

Focus

The Focus consists of the three student outcome goals adopted by the OKCPS Board of Education. The Board has a five-year monitoring calendar to ensure transparency and track progress.

Values

The Values reflect priorities voiced by the community and are used to establish guardrail statements.

Commitment

The Commitment outlines what OKCPS pledges to deliver for every student, emphasizing graduation preparedness for employment, military enlistment, or higher education.

Objective

The Objective expresses the district’s long-term aspiration to become a First Choice district, offering high-quality school options and valued educational experiences.

Constraints on School Board Authority in Oklahoma

Oklahoma law places certain constraints on school boards' authority.

Restrictions on Curriculum

Oklahoma law prohibits instruction in public schools regarding certain race- or sex-based concepts and ebonics. Ebonics cannot be recognized as a language art or taught as a course for credit or graduation requirements.

Book Removal

Oklahoma school boards have the authority to remove books from school libraries. However, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Oklahoma Department of Education overstepped their authority in forcing Edmond Public Schools to remove two novels, affirming local school boards' authority. The ruling distinguished between school library books and curricular books, granting school boards more authority over the latter.

Student Discipline

Each school district board of education must adopt a policy for student discipline and the investigation of bullying incidents. The policy must provide disciplinary options and define expected standards of conduct.

Student Transfers

On and after January 1, 2022, students can transfer from their resident district to another district if space is available. Transfers can be denied if they exceed grade-level capacity or for specific reasons outlined in Oklahoma statutes.

Charter Schools

Beginning July 1, 2024, charter school applications must first be submitted to the school district where the charter school will be located. The school district board of education must approve or deny the application within 60 days.

Teacher Union Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)

Teacher CBAs can constrain school board authority by establishing rights and contract details for public school employees. These agreements can cover curriculum, book banning, and student/parental rights.

Parents' Bill of Rights

Oklahoma law includes a Parents' Bill of Rights, ensuring parents have certain rights regarding their children's education and upbringing.

Comparison with Other States

Oklahoma's school board authority and constraints are comparable to those of other states. Twenty-two states have no laws regulating school library book curation, while 28 states have laws restricting school board authority. Some states authorize school boards to approve or deny charter school applications, while others give this authority to state boards of education. Many states have policies on cellphone use in public schools, with some enacting specific regulations.

Training for School Board Members

Oklahoma public schools are governed by locally elected school boards. Members must meet qualifications established in Oklahoma Statute Under 70 O.S. Under 70 O.S. Under 70 O.S. § 5-110.1 failure to complete the initial training will result in loss of the board seat. While the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) offers free, high-quality training for school board members, some may choose to pursue professional development through outside providers. The Local Board of Education Member Training Authorization Form outlines the process for submitting and approving these external trainings. Using a standardized rubric, OSDE evaluates each submission for content accuracy, alignment with statutory topics, presenter qualifications, and overall delivery quality.

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