[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6208829,"mediaKeyId","3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528","parentId",3740564,"title","Owasso board approves modest expansion of therapy‑dog policy after pilot year","audioSeconds",68,"startMs",3638000,"endMs",3706000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528&start=3638&end=3706","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528/thumbnail_3638000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6208829/OWASSO/School-Districts/Oklahoma/Owasso-board-approves-modest-expansion-of-therapydog-policy-after-pilot-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208829-0670db1634e7e9de561368d0f4acb611/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097132&Signature=LTugIaypE3t5B1lzSHXZGE57BH6CN-AVccf51FGPF1P2zrovjjrVbVrTO6yIY3tjN4p6nh1wzmrHc401IDHWJFsn9RI1VPBL~uxE9vSJaS~JCoKT3Xd0J53UV1PS2ysCHqCIFTT-mX5WXI-S4CtXYWpL5dbZhbJggw7eyKkezoQYUuQPxWC1zeec5QvAXQ57EgO3rQgXD1uMWfRm~keE6wraf7At-0jJq9Hv8f0klUwp6tfjIretSFgNJSFYZtv1RGqJWmzznUkEoayfnkYzv1RhfREQYoSu5Gm9FOLnNufURNyD~XBvtsyRMW3xqmZ7J-J4PKfmTgRBwICYPxsfGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Owasso Public Schools","date","2025-06-10T12:54:06Z","article","Owasso Public Schools on Monday approved edits to Policy 1.88 to allow school therapy dogs certified through recognized school‑therapy programs beyond American Kennel Club certification, reflecting lessons from a pilot year.

Mr. Kerner, district services director, described the pilot that began at Barnes Elementary with Luna and extended to Ram Academy and Northeast; Hudson had therapy dogs one day a week. “We met a couple weeks ago after school was out to bridal the sites that did implement and say, what went right? What were the challenges?” Kerner said, summarizing the district’s site review.

Administrators reported primarily positive, largely anecdotal feedback about dogs helping students regulate emotions and return to learning more quickly. The board voted to approve the policy edits, which loosen language that had required AKC certification while retaining firm training and school‑program certification standards.

Mr. Officer noted policy changes are intended to preserve parameters that ensure dogs coming to schools are properly trained and certified through school therapy dog programs. The approved edits will be incorporated into district policy language going forward.

Board members applauded the pilot and the policy tweak; staff said they will continue to monitor implementation and report outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - June 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved edits to Policy 1.88 to broaden acceptable therapy‑dog certifications beyond AKC programs after a multi‑site pilot. District officials cited positive anecdotal results from Barnes, Ram Academy and Northeast and said policy changes maintain training and certification requirements.","taxTitle","OWASSO, School Districts, Oklahoma","taxId",14546,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6208834,"Owasso staff revise personal electronic device policy to match state guidance; public speaker urges strict \"bell‑to‑bell\" enforcement",0,3197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528&start=3197&end=3197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528/thumbnail_3197000.jpg","/articles/6208834/OWASSO/School-Districts/Oklahoma/Owasso-staff-revise-personal-electronic-device-policy-to-match-state-guidance-public-speaker-urges-strict-belltobell-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208834-43bbc89c67318f1a633505d527e46454/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097132&Signature=Q3dNn3oxXNmXFgERVXEXXE6zifwHOzvx9Evd~fozJsHTIYOQGNypzaOx74Uw9mVoylXUF0cCmNAbIsS1rqHY3gKgzy9fvfBNVUL~btPQcTlBd2RlcQbIEo0lUHAaGGiDBeQhkKrftct2D9ijJK-cw1FSBsZBzV9epolnoA4xsZ4xvYEoME-TWEJ7c08kAKwdu0HP6NjCeD8CqknAxv~3LKYW3EOEvOVhSPrxAKAdU-87tosBdBmdwnfRUsHSNKlqgddwI2vTxUtw67aAi5I2U0GljjLqKIdqUAZrorQqwSpS~5sDFleW3bDySgqOmIyLUV~OBl4OkUuvK~NRiZk4rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Owasso Public Schools staff presented rewritten language for Policy 5.31 to align the district’s personal electronic device rules with recent state law and a template from the Oklahoma School Boards Association. The board reviewed the edits and will consider the policy for approval next month.

Mr. Officer, who presented the policy edits, said the district used the OSSBA sample and largely rewrote the policy to mirror the statute and the recommended template. He noted elementary practices remain unchanged and that secondary site rules required the most revision: “We went about making the edits required by the new legislation related to personal electronic devices,” he said.

During public comment, Mr. Bob Shaffer, a substitute teacher and longtime educator, urged the board to adopt strong enforcement. “I encourage you to strongly support the law,” Shaffer said, advocating for a zero‑tolerance approach and for devices to be powered off during the school day. Shaffer suggested clear consequences for violations to ensure consistent enforcement across classrooms.

The board did not vote on the policy Monday; members asked staff to solicit final feedback and return with the policy for approval at the next meeting.","District staff presented a rewrite of Policy 5.31 aligning it with new state law and an OSSBA template; the district will bring the edited policy back for formal approval next month. Public commenter Bob Shaffer urged a strict, school‑wide \"bell‑to‑bell\" enforcement and recommended devices be powered off during the school day.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6208838,"Owasso moves away from virtual weather days; calendar adds five inclement‑weather dates for 2026–27",148,2977000,3125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528&start=2977&end=3125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528/thumbnail_2977000.jpg","/articles/6208838/OWASSO/School-Districts/Oklahoma/Owasso-moves-away-from-virtual-weather-days-calendar-adds-five-inclementweather-dates-for-202627","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208838-01d00ca4f24931f4f4630815338cbeb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097132&Signature=OsLmfBFuRHero2I3txM2FWCLw4jBrH8SBncSyc2JhU3xI7987Jiyf0GxmenMj77FhbgtRMyrqKDNUowlzyw9pQTc5fCW24qtSwOXFP4hNqyhW2uUxXRcYljt1ciyZHVcxBJbHbCpHiEER1slcaacAMmegnxxVh5nG6vTcRccPAsFfnf-jCAMBz3pD9dO23bPCGewVs8SxSUV4c8TF9DOoXBHKAkd5JCVgWxa5JUUdMzb3bPleWUFce8IQD9TI2j6nR-Pi06ES5YzF6wWnJ85q4DrhNWvRqBOFw-s6falgYQYJPquohpZAqNPRdGdWE-diPg4CV5aoxm~Gw3wXSqngw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Owasso Public Schools board approved the district’s 2026–27 calendar after staff said new state law restricts the use of virtual instruction for inclement weather.

Mr. Korfic, who presented the calendar, said Senate Bill 758 limits when districts may rely on virtual instruction for inclement‑weather closures and that the district therefore “will be moving away from the use of virtual days.”

To account for the change, the calendar adopted by the board includes five designated inclement‑weather days in 2027 that would be used in sequence if the district must close for weather: March 12, April 9, April 26, May 27 and May 28, Mr. Korfic said. He explained the calendar committee — made up of teachers, administrators and parents — recommended the approach so families and staff have two years of planning visibility.

Under the district’s plan, those dates begin the year as no‑student days; if actual weather closures occur during the year, the district converts those designated dates to in‑person instruction in the order listed.

The board approved the calendar on a roll call vote with Ms. Mills, Mr. Kessler and Mr. England voting yes.","School officials presented and the board approved the 2026–27 school calendar after state legislation narrowed when virtual days may be used; the calendar includes five designated inclement‑weather dates in 2027 to convert to make‑up days as needed.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6208843,"Owasso board approves teacher contract package totaling about $489,000 impact to general fund",334,2624000,2958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528&start=2624&end=2958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528/thumbnail_2624000.jpg","/articles/6208843/OWASSO/School-Districts/Oklahoma/Owasso-board-approves-teacher-contract-package-totaling-about-489000-impact-to-general-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208843-3d5177c480c9b8bba6a549db4b4bf6e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097132&Signature=Bn5ICF4O-rFtYPmOSMEflFMWSV1pbYlqhVisBQh1CWluWfP2TNtJdHwnotK5VFBdFzO9079J~bhTk19FFL~JahDPynT71N3egm0zxK5wfrK15Y0QC-JIi4QWhjpUfIwL9C~~6psVVfhWGe-Lb-89JC5xwtcaawhVMJWI6nC~i9DuV~KGVWpgVidKII~zeI3rL0Sa--zPcQF-UsODj0z4VUae26FpeQeQFUKFoHvzpET3tW84ASirW2sNynXLbhfoXE-qaGdGDmZ~sMsYO5yXdD-2osnJuuTBd8HIEwPj-LgYoP7j4p4Hardf46tgcpjhdtLvMMMv0JE90vJnFpYa7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Owasso Public Schools board voted Monday to approve the 2025–26 negotiated agreement with the Owasso Education Association, pending ratification by teachers this fall. The board’s action followed a brief negotiations session administrators described as cooperative.

Superintendent Dr. Coates told the board the agreement includes an additional $100 contribution to teachers’ retirement accounts and changes to extra‑duty stipends. “All teachers will receive $100 an additional $100 towards their teacher retirement,” Dr. Coates said while summarizing the financial terms.

District staff said the retirement addition accounts for about $62,000 of the package. Other negotiated elements include rearranged extra‑duty stipends (many paid from federal funds and not affecting the general fund), an increase in tutoring pay from $20 an hour to $25 an hour funded by federal sources, and flexibility for certain high‑school stipend roles up to $10,800 each.

The district also will increase compensation steps and lanes, which staff estimated will add $426,942 to the general fund; together with the retirement contribution the total general‑fund impact was stated as $488,942, with staff noting the figure may rise slightly once additional statutory step changes are implemented. Dr. Coates said the district expects to implement new step caps that state legislation extended from 30 to 40 steps and that details remain pending guidance from the state association.

A board motion to approve the agreement passed on roll call with Mr. Kessler, Mr. England and Ms. Mills voting yes.

The agreement was presented by district staff as negotiated without a federal mediator, and administrators described the talks as concluding in under half a day. The contract will go to teachers for ratification before becoming final.","The board approved a negotiated agreement with the Owasso Education Association that includes steps and lane adjustments, a $100 retirement contribution for teachers and other stipend reallocations; the package carries a roughly $488,942 increase to the general fund plus ancillary costs tied to step scale changes.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6208848,"Owasso board OKs $169.18 million bond election, promises no tax-rate increase",495,3783000,4278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528&start=3783&end=4278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3740564-d06cd34a055485721413f4dd1c6e6528/thumbnail_3783000.jpg","/articles/6208848/OWASSO/School-Districts/Oklahoma/Owasso-board-OKs-16918-million-bond-election-promises-no-tax-rate-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6208848-0468f6a97a11c8488de692c6a7ff3ec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097132&Signature=J2GAM0skrZtq5EsLVU7vp99oH3OfFf~BrjYiN1yZGw5NO7lzRz5gLBvAuos0fZXx2W5vwEzTqwUuKVniRz2dWH0SV5ZFJ0Lw2IrXzbE6o1lcXXxUgCOcRQgaEvCwyWinoG1es~X-oM8D~sUbVIJ5WdOOUnIXJ82IfWZmXObQn2ANtUzjkLt2mxcIaY-PulI1BkTp-IwrkP9T3fDsGmIr4X2WSjTx7k~Gb7M2yHLily~xgDD87XPRrTixcuiML5zIZh~U7C7VUSH3FWnW4JEfOxR6smSj2nLqT9nyqDbT-WfZLUwE9WKkuMbfUj7BMX7vCtKFUYnRCDvGZd6qNxNrVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Owasso Public Schools officials on Monday approved a resolution calling a special election for Sept. (date to be filed with the County Election Board) to ask voters to authorize $169,180,000 in general obligation bonds, a package administrators say can be issued without increasing the district’s current tax rate.

Superintendent Dr. Coates told the board the revised plan trims the original proposal and reflects community feedback: “We were able to get almost 2,400 responses on this survey,” and “about 62% in favor,” she said, summarizing results from a district survey conducted after a February proposition failed.

District finance staff said the new total is about a 13% reduction from the February proposal and reflects adjusted construction budgets, removed future land-acquisition funds and reduced athletic and facility project budgets. “This amount reflects, as Dr. Coates already mentioned, a no tax increase,” Mr. Philip Storm said, describing the calculation behind the $169,180,000 figure and the schedule for selling bonds.

Administrators told the board they hope to sell an initial tranche as soon as December and would sell additional tranches across subsequent summers — potentially over as many as seven summers — to fund the full program. Staff also described a plan to pursue a lease‑purchase arrangement with the Tulsa County Industrial Authority to access funding earlier in the construction sequence, similar to a 2018–19 arrangement.

Public commenters urged the board to consider alternatives and equity issues before finalizing the plan. Resident Doug Hall pressed the district to analyze a lower-cost “safe” alternative that would prioritize tornado shelters and classroom retrofits at existing elementary campuses rather than building a consolidated grade center, arguing the alternative could be $10 million to $30 million cheaper and lower long-term operating costs. “Please do not buy the grade center without considering the safe structures needed in the long term,” Hall said.

Regina Bogar, a caretaker and community member, told the board she supports bond projects that serve all students and described unmet accessibility needs at recently completed facilities, including the absence of an adult-sized changing surface she expected to be available. “When you ask me to give up funding to go towards sports complexes … please think about all of our students,” Bogar said.

The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution calling the election. Roll call recorded Ms. Mills, Mr. Kessler and Mr. England voting yes.

If approved by voters, project details and dollar amounts will be posted on the district website, staff said, and construction sequencing would begin after bond proceeds are available or through lease‑purchase financing that could allow earlier work.","The Owasso Public Schools board voted to call a special election on a $169,180,000 general obligation bond package the district says can be issued without increasing the current tax rate. The proposal reduces scope from an earlier plan and lists security, high school upgrades and elementary arts among top priorities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Owasso board approves modest expansion of therapy‑dog policy after pilot year

Owasso staff revise personal electronic device policy to match state guidance; public speaker urges strict "bell‑to‑bell" enforcement

Owasso moves away from virtual weather days; calendar adds five inclement‑weather dates for 2026–27

Owasso board approves teacher contract package totaling about $489,000 impact to general fund

Owasso board OKs $169.18 million bond election, promises no tax-rate increase