Board approves sinking fund estimate, emergency policy updates and branding policy; votes summarized
Summary
The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education approved a package of budget and policy measures including a sinking fund estimate, a new anti-discriminatory branding policy, imagery revisions for two high schools and emergency policy updates required by state rules.
The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education on Monday approved a set of motions including the district’s 2025–26 sinking fund estimate of needs, a policy banning discriminatory school branding, targeted revisions to mascot imagery at Webster and Central high schools, and three emergency policy updates required by state guidance.
Votes at a glance
- G1 — Approve 2025–26 sinking fund estimate of needs and requirements to retire bonded indebtedness for Tulsa Public Schools. Motion moved by Miss Woolley; seconded by Mr. Croissant. Roll call recorded ayes from Miss Woolley, Ms. Carby, Mr. Croissant, Mr. Moniz, Miss Ashley, Miss Smith. Outcome: approved.
- G2 — Adopt policy 02/2023, prohibition of discriminatory school branding. Motion moved by Mr. Moniz; seconded by Mr. Croissant. Outcome: approved.
- G3 — Revise mascot visual imagery depicting Native Americans on Webster High School and Webster Middle School branding elements and authorize superintendent to develop replacement imagery with stakeholder input (pending approval of policy 02/2023). Motion moved by Mr. Moniz; seconded by Miss Woolley. Vote: recorded ayes from Ms. Woolley, Ms. Carby, Mr. Croissant, Mr. Moniz, Ms. Smith; Ms. Ashley voted no. Outcome: approved.
- G4 — Authorize superintendent to develop replacement mascot visual imagery for branding elements and structures with stakeholder input, pending approval of policy 02/2023. Motion moved by Mr. Moniz; seconded by Miss Woolley. Vote recorded: Ms. Smith aye; Ms. Ashley no; Mr. Moniz aye; Mr. Croissant aye; others voted aye. Outcome: approved.
- G5 — Emergency waiver and approval of revised policy 2110 to reflect recent changes in law related to reporting of child abuse and neglect. Motion moved by Mr. Croissant; seconded by Mr. Moniz. Outcome: approved.
- G6 — Emergency waiver and approval of revised policy 4410 to integrate an updated definition of antisemitism as described in the meeting (Oklahoma statute title 70, section 24 through 162) into employee code of conduct as required by state law. Motion moved by Mr. Moniz; seconded by Mr. Croissant. Outcome: approved.
- G7 — Emergency waiver and adoption of policy 2408 to implement the Strong Readers Act and align district procedure with Oklahoma State Department of Education requirements. Motion moved by Mr. Moniz; seconded by Mr. Croissant. Outcome: approved.
Several of the emergency policy items were described by the board policy chair as language required by state statute or the Oklahoma State Department of Education; the board approved emergency waivers on a first-reading basis to meet compliance timelines. The superintendent said the district will publish meeting and stakeholder details on the Tulsa Public Schools website.
