State Board approves array of waivers for calendars, alternative education and library services

The Oklahoma State Board of Education on July 23 approved a package of waiver and deregulation requests affecting school calendars, alternative education operations, and library services across multiple districts.

Board Member Brian Bobek moved to accept Battiest Public Schools' request to use a day‑to‑hour calendar of fewer than 166 days for the 2026–2027 academic year; the motion carried with Board members present voting yes. The Board also approved statutory waivers under 70 O.S. § 1210.568 that allow districts with fewer than ten alternative‑education students to operate their own programs rather than enter cooperative agreements. The motion listing approved districts included Beggs, Bridge Creek, Canton, Gracemont, Heavener, Keota, Marlow, Quapaw, Red Oak, Ringwood, Stuart and Whitesboro.

The Board accepted K‑8 waivers from Lone Star Public Schools and Wainright Public Schools under 70 O.S. § 1210.568(F), which are granted when districts assert they have no students who require alternative education services; districts granted these waivers are ineligible for statewide alternative education funding for that year. On library services, Board Member Becky Carson moved to accept deregulation requests under 70 O.S. § 3‑126 from a list of districts seeking reduced library hours or supervision by a library aide, with services delivered by alternative means. The Board also granted Mustang Public Schools an exemption from Library Media Teacher Certification requirements to allow a certified teacher to serve as librarian while pursuing Library Media certification for 2026‑2027.

Each motion on these items was moved and seconded as recorded in the meeting minutes and carried with the voting members present. The approvals change compliance requirements for affected districts for the 2026‑2027 or 2026 academic year as specified in the motions.