[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6179071,"mediaKeyId","5133724-630e223579fba0b00b45b5dd22cfde64","parentId",5133724,"title","John Rex Charter Seeks to Expand from Pre‑K–8 to K–12, Board Briefed on Downtown High‑School Plan","audioSeconds",249,"startMs",706000,"endMs",955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5133724-630e223579fba0b00b45b5dd22cfde64&start=706&end=955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5133724-630e223579fba0b00b45b5dd22cfde64/thumbnail_706000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179071/Oklahoma/John-Rex-Charter-Seeks-to-Expand-from-PreK8-to-K12-Board-Briefed-on-Downtown-HighSchool-Plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179071-1fe52ef103970264097882d3fe57e043/orig.mp4?Expires=1773429007&Signature=gLAN6gAkzhGStfl0UAcYLn2LEhYZq6DQAXSLFoUopxuHTobmgDMcu5LqTijiZk58wnaECzhsES3w5~6XXAz7o0rbbTHH8K6oczx7BSU8jVV6q74xpEUWbxdZYEdrHqeX1N5Zja811FwfevSWl5rRiDjFbsCb0kg53lew-BWJ-rsEY25mSyZvgNuoEGNt40EvHeKNF8Rc56Xijou3vwJyRiqr2sRKuui9A8XHaBTCPtKeeLZ72HYVpp7HIf4lfBC6BBXyHCWNOTrES17kRePqMp7S1Qoswwf5hqPPMOy0Rb-giFZb9hv4sjVFBERwqulITXFQ0XzfFKe~w~-aB9AZOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oklahoma City Public Schools","date","2025-07-01T02:44:20Z","article","Oklahoma City Public Schools on Tuesday heard an informational update on John Rex Charter School’s renewal application, which requests permission to expand the school’s grade bands from pre‑K–8 to a full K–12 program and to add a downtown high school at 615 North Hudson.

The briefing matters because John Rex told the board it expects to grow from about 810 students in pre‑K through eighth grade to roughly 1,700 students within seven to eight years, including a high‑school enrollment target of about 500 students. The district presented schedule and site plans and said the renewal application includes both a retrospective review of performance and a prospective plan for the next term.

In the presentation, district staff said John Rex plans to add students incrementally this year — expanding pre‑K, kindergarten, first, and grades five through eight — increasing enrollment by about 120 students to roughly 920 for the coming year. The school will operate three sites this year: John Rex Elementary, a Macau Pine campus for fifth and sixth grades, and a seventh–eighth grade center at the Carnegie Library. District staff told the board the planned high‑school campus would require lease or renovation work and is not expected to open until the 2028–29 school year.

No vote was taken on the renewal at the meeting. District staff said the item will appear as an action item at the board’s July meeting. Board members asked procedural and timeline questions; one board member noted that state law recently changed and that the board’s role on grade‑band expansion is limited. General counsel confirmed the change in legal authority and that the briefing was shared to keep board members informed.

The presentation and board discussion focused on enrollment projections, planned sites, and timing. District staff said John Rex’s application includes career‑and‑technical tracks at the proposed high school — examples mentioned included cybersecurity, aviation and entrepreneurship — as well as Advanced Placement and concurrent‑enrollment options.

Because this was an informational presentation there was no formal district action taken at the meeting; the board will consider a related vote at its July meeting.

Details to watch: the site at 615 North Hudson downtown, the proposed 2028–29 opening for the high school, and the July action item on the renewal application.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 30, 2025 | OKCPS Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Oklahoma City Public Schools on Tuesday heard an informational update on John Rex Charter School’s renewal application, which requests permission to expand the school’s grade bands from pre‑K–8 to a full K–12 program and to add a downtown high school at 615 North Hudson.","taxTitle","OKLAHOMA CITY (Regular School District), School Districts, Oklahoma","taxId",14545,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6179059,"OKCPS Board Approves FY2026 Budget Based on Appropriations Projections; CFO Cites Slight Tax and Foundation Aid Increases",471,2365000,2836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5133724-630e223579fba0b00b45b5dd22cfde64&start=2365&end=2836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5133724-630e223579fba0b00b45b5dd22cfde64/thumbnail_2365000.jpg","/articles/6179059/Oklahoma/OKCPS-Board-Approves-FY2026-Budget-Based-on-Appropriations-Projections-CFO-Cites-Slight-Tax-and-Foundation-Aid-Increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179059-d93499a92a0dac1ec4b2a08752deb1cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1773429007&Signature=BytxrxhAKiKCkNA-kSc3fnP6SyQnjcjsNbBurqbaV2HvJw8BW8nJk5~3NHn8yYgTGy4nehnLNQqHTHDnx9EpSzOfmVoRcbeB12oTlLhmRZgnU~4RzQYqub44WBgp1kLfYeRVKOwuijIJBHQRD5-huW~tijDifjrJHlJzxDpnu-G4dZsSr4O9quIWCPXN-b1bBhOk56a67xve4dRthcCbJin7ZTZw3t0~utVQWSX-lHeMDmoNRDynY0tfKxNJJBxRM1dFkLy0dDbdAKRGbz6lXu2IyC4YpJc7m5745sue-GJn6P70KmVDjhx6DKHgS~Nwkr9UD1QKK3t1bumyUdjNMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma City Public Schools board on Tuesday approved the fiscal year 2026 budget based on appropriations revenue projections, voting 6–0 to carry the measure.

During the meeting CFO Sydney Ward answered board questions about revenue projections. Ward said the district is projecting a modest increase in tax collections because the net assessed value rose slightly and a small increase in state foundation aid driven by higher student counts. At the same time she said federal revenues will decline because “the Vester went away,” meaning a federal funding stream the district had received is ending.

Ward explained column C of the budget packet reflects the projected revenues for FY2026; the district expects the tax and foundation‑aid increases to offset some reductions in federal funds. She also said the building fund will decrease next year because federal dollars that supported it will not be available.

Board members asked whether the FY2025 projections were lower than FY2026 budget figures; Ward said the increase comes from the assessed‑value change and the small uptick in foundation aid tied to student counts. She invited further review of the packet and offered to bring detailed figures as needed.

The budget motion carried unanimously. District staff said the vote aligns projected revenues with the district’s budgeting schedule and supports operational planning for the coming year.","The board approved the fiscal year 2026 budget based on appropriations revenue projections by a 6–0 vote. CFO Sydney Ward said modest increases are expected in tax collections and foundation aid, while certain federal funds will decrease.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6179064,"OKCPS Board Approves 2026–27 Student Academic Calendar; District Posts Bilingual Version",120,2476000,2596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5133724-630e223579fba0b00b45b5dd22cfde64&start=2476&end=2596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5133724-630e223579fba0b00b45b5dd22cfde64/thumbnail_2476000.jpg","/articles/6179064/Oklahoma/OKCPS-Board-Approves-202627-Student-Academic-Calendar-District-Posts-Bilingual-Version","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179064-8cceea90411db81c1edd110174b3f628/orig.mp4?Expires=1773429007&Signature=hThLkkABE~z~yfAIcBTt4jvgd95PBlStKJYL4zmOsv02ru~lXNtTh1MBPJivl7sdNcdTIFXie6K4R2Wc75oGm6qTLDBvQ-OfHcQqK7ISP3xKPbsxF-g664R0fFdmb99xEHyPL9TxFhsvNWJ0Sz8J1N3CnzDTFsx6UTu-00Yh5zohKWx71rAF5L7HZFpf5iaBtFOQyJ30TMU~GXc8bzCN9xUSWTcWqPGg2RtsuiC2U~~aahiPeVgySzZ8lIZvfOMDZuQQ9DCBmBqSe5oaFUutNSkgx6E~Ez2x68a224irmi904S3nKFZ0xOQycUuH4UO4m98pB85l4deX5kYNjSWkSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oklahoma City Public Schools board on Tuesday approved the student academic calendar for 2026–27 by a 6–0 vote, extending the district’s practice of approving calendars two years in advance to help families and staff plan.

Board members noted the calendar’s bilingual format and praised the district for placing both language versions together on the same document rather than requiring families to find a separate link or file. One board member said the bilingual approach improves accessibility for families across the district.

District staff said approving two years of calendars helps families, teachers and principals make longer‑term plans; the 2026–27 calendar follows the district’s previously approved 2025–26 schedule and keeps that planning cadence consistent.

The calendar approval was taken as a regular action item and carried unanimously. No further changes were proposed at the meeting.","The board voted 6–0 to approve the student academic calendar for the 2026–27 school year; board members praised the bilingual document format that places both languages together on the same page for accessibility.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6179067,"OKCPS Board Waives Notice Requirement and Adopts Bell‑to‑Bell Cell‑Phone Policy Required by SB139",536,1259000,1795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5133724-630e223579fba0b00b45b5dd22cfde64&start=1259&end=1795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5133724-630e223579fba0b00b45b5dd22cfde64/thumbnail_1259000.jpg","/articles/6179067/Oklahoma/OKCPS-Board-Waives-Notice-Requirement-and-Adopts-BelltoBell-CellPhone-Policy-Required-by-SB139","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179067-a58ad20d01332911270dd283e8f0444e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773429007&Signature=NT9jkI7kQ3Yfyg-Qi9sWVCe3OAhMYm3S0PudFbUsMNDR8P66gaLTlxp-IBVz7QTOSuKcJ-HLMkg18pznb3MEHFlRqWK8jYEhPHwNs5skdGv4dtFMv~3z9hb2uKLvGrTtS3IRjSKrK7x-2~0dIiIxYq6NcPxkgXaDy-8Nw2NNiejcA7z-kTfrPr9trJnXHGaPOfKQPdp8RilhrgdlqC8XdYvbr4hSdyzEXaHsCl~Jj~9R5V7R2ohnhmNkg1HhnC-oDJ0XF9FuLI7BXCu7Y5uHjc~CoJSvCaavSt-vVMm-L4XbwZ3sj9ytL6Qsgn49PBfpdhKsNZDFF32e9fYYgrVsXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oklahoma City Public Schools on Tuesday waived the district’s regular notice period and adopted revisions to board policy F‑25 to comply with a new state law — commonly called the bell‑to‑bell cell‑phone restriction — that bans student cell‑phone use during instructional periods for the 2025–26 school year.

The board first voted to waive the required one‑month information appearance so the district could implement the new law in time for the school year; officials said that failing to waive the process could cause the district to miss opportunities for state funding. District staff reported the waiver vote carried 6–0. The board then voted to approve the revised F‑25 policy; the approval passed 5–1, with one board member recording a nay vote.

District staff and legal counsel told the board the state law (referred to in the meeting as SB139) requires each school to have a policy restricting cell‑phone use “from the first bell at the start of the school day to the bell marking the end of the school day.” The law, as presented to the board, leaves the board authority to review and modify the policy after the first year. As one staff member summarized, for this first year the requirement is “bell to bell” and after the initial year the board may consider local adjustments.

Under the approved policy and the state mandate, students may keep phones on their person but may not use them during instructional periods, including passing periods and lunch if those minutes fall inside the first and last instructional bells. District staff noted limited exceptions for emergencies and authorized, school‑sanctioned instructional uses. The law also requires that a violation carry some form of discipline; district staff said the existing student‑discipline policy will govern enforcement and that the district is working with principals to ensure consistent application across schools.

Board members and staff discussed implementation details and equity concerns. Board member Mike Shelton asked how the district will ensure uniform enforcement across schools; staff said discipline will follow existing policy and that the district’s secondary leadership will coordinate principals, general counsel and building‑level practices. One board member requested interim reports from the district: staff agreed to provide an update at the end of the first semester and another by spring break so the board will have data in time to consider modifications after year one.

District staff also addressed common operational questions during the discussion: students will still be permitted to carry phones but “bringing out the phone to open it and use it for searching the Internet, for texting, for calling” during instructional periods would be a violation; recording during instruction was also described as a violation. Staff said authorized instructional use can be permitted if the district or school explicitly approves it.

The waiver and the policy were both introduced and carried under the board’s special business agenda. The district told the board it will coordinate communications with families and principals and provide periodic implementation reports to the board.","The board voted to waive a one‑month information period so the district could implement the new state law restricting cell‑phone use from the first instructional bell to the last for the 2025–26 school year, then approved the district policy; waiver carried unanimously (6–0), policy approved 5–1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

John Rex Charter Seeks to Expand from Pre‑K–8 to K–12, Board Briefed on Downtown High‑School Plan

OKCPS Board Approves FY2026 Budget Based on Appropriations Projections; CFO Cites Slight Tax and Foundation Aid Increases

OKCPS Board Approves 2026–27 Student Academic Calendar; District Posts Bilingual Version

OKCPS Board Waives Notice Requirement and Adopts Bell‑to‑Bell Cell‑Phone Policy Required by SB139