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OKCPS board delays decision on Oklahoma Public Montessori Initiative start-up, seeks more financial details
Summary
The Oklahoma City Public Schools board voted to postpone action on an addendum to the Oklahoma Public Montessori Initiative charter contract, moving an informational update to June 2 and the decision to June 30 after trustees requested additional financial and facility information.
The Oklahoma City Public Schools board on Tuesday voted to postpone consideration of an addendum to the charter contract with the Oklahoma Public Montessori Initiative (OPMI), giving the group more time to provide financial and facility documentation.
Board members moved to postpone the addendum until June 30, 2025, with an informational update to be provided at the June 2 work session. The addendum would, if later approved, extend OPMI’s startup period so the school could open in the 2026–27 school year instead of the originally planned fall of 2025.
District staff presented a letter from OPMI’s board president, Rico Smith, asking for an additional planning year so the organization could secure a facility, finish operations planning and build family relationships. Jason Mack, OKCPS staff presenting the item, said the group “voted unanimously to request another year of planning” and described location as the main challenge.
Several trustees said they supported giving OPMI more time but asked for additional details before endorsing a formal extension. Board member Laurie Bowman said she wanted more information about the charter’s current finances and what would change in the planning year so the board would not be asked to grant another extension later. Tony Childers, general counsel, explained the board’s procedural options, including postponement to a definite date, indefinite postponement, or approval that night.
Vice Chair Laurie Bowman moved to postpone the item to the June 30 business meeting, with an information-only presentation on June 2; the motion was seconded by board member Mike Shelton. The clerk recorded a 7–0 vote in favor. The motion language filed in the minutes was: “Motion to postpone consideration until 06/30/2025 on an addendum to the charter contract with Oklahoma Public Montessori Initiative Inc to extend the startup period to 06/30/2026.”
Board members asked staff to work with OPMI to set clear interim deadlines (for example, dates by which facility agreements or other milestones would need to be met). Jason Mack said staff would coordinate with OPMI and return specific benchmarks for the board to consider. Mack also told families who expected seats at OPMI to contact OKCPS student records for enrollment alternatives if needed.
The postponement does not change the district’s charter process; OKCPS staff said they would provide documentation packets and financial information from OPMI to the board ahead of the June 2 information item.
