Board declines to authorize district application for Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program after extensive discussion and requests for more teacher input

The Norman Public Schools Board of Education declined to authorize district participation in the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program (House Bill 43‑88) after extended discussion about criteria, potential impacts on staff cohesion and the need for broader teacher input.

District staff (Holly McKinney and Sarah Seymour) presented a proposed local plan for the program and explained that the law provides state funding for stipends to a limited percentage of teachers (designation categories: advanced, lead, master) and sets minimum requirements for application. Staff described how the district would administer an application and blind scoring process through the Staff Development Committee, and said teachers would be responsible for documenting professional learning and leadership activities; the state requires that student growth and teacher evaluation be considered in selections. The presenters noted a 1‑time supplemental stipend for teachers at schools with at least 40% economically disadvantaged students and that Senate Bill 1256 removed the earlier requirement that districts match state funds.

Multiple board members and employees in the discussion raised concerns. Key issues included: - Use of teacher attendance (sick days/personal days) as an eligibility/scoring criterion: several board members and commenters said sick leave is not an appropriate penalty and that use of sick‑day counts could discourage teachers from using leave when needed. Presenters said the rubric counts only sick days and personal business days and excludes bereavement and professional leave but acknowledged sensitivity. - Reliance on local evaluation scores and student‑growth measures: board members asked about calibration and potential evaluator variability; staff said principals receive calibration training and Marzano framework elements are used in evaluation rubrics. - Risk of staff division or resentment given that only up to 10% of teachers with standard certification may be nominated each year and stipends range up to $10,000. Several board members and multiple teachers (as reported in the discussion) urged districtwide anonymous surveys or listening sessions to gauge teacher sentiment before moving forward. - Timing and district outreach: multiple board members said a fairly short window exists to submit a plan to the state (the presenters said July 1 is the submission date for teacher eligibility for the next school year) and asked why broader teacher surveys had not been completed earlier.

Public comment earlier in the meeting included a statement from Adrienne Hall, president of the Professional Educators of Norman, who said teachers have concerns about the program’s potential effects and argued the district should seek fully funded, sustainable salary increases rather than merit‑based stipends.

After discussion the board took a roll‑call vote on the motion to approve Norman Public Schools' participation in the state program. The roll call recorded five “No” votes and the motion failed.

Board members asked staff to gather more input (many requested an anonymous districtwide teacher survey and additional clarifications on evaluation measures) and suggested bringing a revised proposal back for consideration if desired. The board did not approve the district application on this agenda.