Tulsa Public Schools parent feels bullied by school board
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — A week ago, Melissa Remington started a firestorm at a Tulsa Public Schools board meeting by asking a question.
"Does the district actually know how many students are actually enrolled within the district?" she said.
But no one answered her question because normally the board doesn't engage in active dialogue when the public makes comments. Normally.
"I think the whole meeting was illegal," said Dr. Jerry Griffin.
The next day, Griffin said he thought the vote for the budget should be redone since it wasn't a normal meeting pointing to a notice that was published, describing the meeting as a public hearing.
"I mean, it literally says on there that we’re going to hold an open discussion, including answering of questions," said Remington.
Monday, the TPS Board of Education President Stacey Woolley released a statement, saying the board's vote "was completely lawful" and that it is "important that I speak up to ensure that baseless claims are countered and put to rest."
"I just find it odd that the board president chose to make an actual statement, but has my phone number, has my email address, made the choice to again deflect from the question, what is your enrollment? And decided she doesn’t value my opinion," said Remington.
And that original question about enrollment? She says she still hasn't gotten an answer. So is she considering legal action?
"We are going to legislators, we’re going to the [district attorney], we’re asking questions about these open meetings, we’re finding out that there’s s a leg to stand on. We could definitely take this the legal way, but do we really want to do that as parents? We don’t want to take a dollar away from children," she said.
Here's the full statement released by TPS:
Sending on behalf of Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education President Stacey Woolley.
In the days following Monday’s board meeting, a small number of individuals, including one board member, have publicly alleged that the board’s vote to adopt the 2021-2022 preliminary budget was unlawful. These allegations stem from an erroneous contention that the School District Budget Act (the 'Act') allows any member of the public to interrogate board members and district staff about the preliminary budget at a public hearing held during the board meeting at which the budget is considered. This right is not found in state law or district policy.
The district values input on the proposed budget and encouraged the public to provide comments on the budget through an invitation published in the Tulsa World as required by the Act. The district also provided notice of the budget’s consideration in the meeting agenda itself, which was posted several days in advance. The public hearing on the budget at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on June 21, 2021, was in full compliance with the law and district policy and was consistent with past practice.
The Act explains that '...At the public hearing on the budget any person may present to the governing body comments, recommendations or information on any part of the proposed budget.' Okla. Stat. tit. 70, 5-155(C) (emphasis added).
Similarly, Tulsa Public Schools Board Policy 5503 states, in part, 'The Board shall hold a public hearing on the proposed budget within 45 days preceding the beginning of the budget year. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comment on financial matters of the District, including past and future expenditures. The hearing shall be conducted at a regular Board meeting or at a special Board meeting called for that purpose. At the public hearing on the budget, any person may present to the Board comments, recommendations or information on any part of the proposed budget. (emphasis added).'
Those individuals complaining about the budget hearing point to the notice published in the Tulsa World that explains the purpose of the hearing is for 'accepting comments and for holding an open discussion, including answering of questions, on the [preliminary budget] .' However, that notice explains further: 'During the hearing, any person may present comments to the Board of Education on any part of the proposed budget. Individuals who desire to make comments should submit a request to comment through the [designated] form....' (emphasis added).
Given the language in the Act and Policy 5503, it is clear that the public will be allowed to comment, and the board members will openly discuss the budget with the opportunity to have their questions answered. The publication does not require the questioning of board members and staff by the public and cannot create any legal requirements beyond those already contained in law and policy.
In summary, it is clear that the board’s hearing on and vote to adopt the preliminary budget on June 21, 2021, was completely lawful. Like always, I recognize the importance of seeking and considering public comment on important school matters such as our preliminary budget. When there are public allegations that undermine the vital work of the district itself, however, it is just as important that I speak up to ensure that baseless claims are countered and put to rest.
