Board approves state and federal funds for two virtual charter schools; member questions SRO labeling

The Oklahoma County Exercise Board voted on Feb. 19, 2026 to accept state and federal funding for two virtual charter schools and asked county finance to verify one contested line item.

Chair Eleanor Thompson presented a request from the county finance office to accept state and federal funds for Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy (district Z-002) for fiscal year 2025–26, listed in the transcript as $1,840,051.48 for the general fund. A committee member questioned a funding code listed as School Resource Officer (OCAST code 3436), saying they were “trying to wrap my mind around a virtual charter school having a police officer, school resource officer.” The staff member opened the attachment and confirmed a $93,000 figure appears in the documents and said the state distributes similar amounts to other schools.

Thompson then introduced the request to accept funds for Insight School of Oklahoma (district Z-4). The transcript reports the amount inconsistently as “2,000,450.183 dollars and 42¢”; the board asked finance to confirm the exact figures. A committee member moved approval of both items, a colleague seconded, and the motions were approved by voice vote. The committee asked that finance send an email to the board with the requested clarifications and that everyone be CC’d on the response.

Why it matters: Board approval accepts the reported state and federal allocations into county accounting for these districts. The committee’s questions highlight potential coding and eligibility issues when line items such as SRO funding appear on budgets for virtual schools.

The board moved to adjourn after completing the agenda.