LEADERSHIP NOTES
OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON THE RIGHT TRACK Urban school districts across the country have seen declining enrollment trends, growing operational costs, and dramatic staffing shortages but Oklahoma City Public Schools is bucking the trends – and they are doing so because of planning and leadership. OKCPS developed and implemented the Pathway to Greatness initiative in 2019 to create efficiencies and reinvest savings back in the classroom, add counselors and nurses, and increase technology resources. While the pandemic interrupted anticipated outcomes, these investments are now bringing many families back to the district. Enrollment numbers are climbing – with 33,311 students enrolled, more than 2,000 more students than last school year. The district diligently worked to provide resources and salary increases for teachers and has filled 98% of all staff vacancies this year, a notable accomplishment when schools across the state are struggling to find and retain teachers. OKCPS teachers also renewed their contracts, which included a significant pay increase, earlier than in the past. In addition, the district raised starting salaries to $42,000, higher than the state minimum, to attract top talent. The successes OKCPS has experienced are a result of visionary leadership from Superintendent McDaniel and the school Board, and they are not looking to coast on these positive outcomes. The school bond vote on Nov. 8 is the community’s opportunity to stand with the district and invest in our future by voting YES. OKCPS is educating the future of our city, and we must do our part to provide them with the best opportunities.
Roy H. Williams, CCE President & CEO
READ ROY’S VELOCITYOKC ONLINE STORY OF THE MONTH “NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS LAUNCHES AVIATION ACADEMY TO HELP GROW AVIATION WORKFORCE” VELOCITYOKC.COM/ ROYSPICK
Sincerely,
Roy H. Williams, CCE Chamber CEO & President
10 DC Spotlight event to feature conversation 11 Chamber leading campaign to help pass OKCPS bond issue
with Sen. Jim Inhofe 12
Chamber releases annual scorecard from 2022 legislative session State lawmakers approve $63M in ARPA, PREP funds for Chamber-supported projects
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