Should OKC get the REDS out?

Monday night, the Oklahoma City school board had its regular meeting and, in addition to the problem of weather related school closings, discussed how to meet a $4 million budget shortfall caused by reduced state funding. Various items were discussed including the sale of some closed school properties, such as old John Marshall High School, and "realigning the support and certified staff in the central office."

One area of administrative expense needs to be addressed by the district: the six Regional Educational Directors, or REDS as they are often termed. These are six "super-principals" who oversee schools in six different regions of the school district. These are administors who administrate other administrators. They do not have direct contact with students in the classroom.

Frankly, most of the rank and file certified and support staff cannot fathom what these people do other than create another layer of meddlesome bureaucracy as well as administrative expense. If the district wants to make cuts in personnel, many teachers point to these offices as a way for the district to save a considerable amount of money, perhaps as much as as a half-million dollars or more.

Personally, I do not know if this is a wise move, but it is something constantly discussed among teachers whenever the subject of staff reductions comes up.

If the district chooses to hold on to these positions, it should explain to teachers and staff faced with the possibility of reductions why these positions are retained while those who have more direct contact with students face reductions.

OKC School Board Talks About Money Saving Options

School Wide Assembly Kicks off "Heart of a Champion" Character Education Initiative

Some of my students showing off their "Elevators UP OKC" T-Shirts
Today we had a school wide assembly put on by "Elevators Up OKC," an initiative sponsored by Coca Cola to foster character education through the "Heart of a Champion" program. We had a radio and TV personality named T-Rock MC the proceedings. Also in attendance were OKCPS Superintendent Karl Springer, Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, 5 members of the OKCPS school board, two of the Thunder cheerleaders, and executives with Coca Cola.
Oklahoma City Public School Superintendent Karl Springer and Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Jari Askins attended the event
from l to r, Oklahoma City Public Schools board members Gail Vines, Phil Horning, Lyn Watson, and David Castillo
Students Cheering during the assembly
Our students took it all in quite well and seemed to have a good time.
One of the Thunder cheerleaders giving out free tickets to an OKC Thunder game
I am one of the teachers who is responsible for teaching the "Heart of a Champion" curriculum. Wish me luck. The first character quality I am teaching is going to be "Committment."

Karl Springer Talks With AFT Building Leaders

AFT President Ed Allen, left, with new Oklahoma City School Superintendent Karl Springer, right, addressing the AFT-OKC Worksite Leaders
New Oklahoma City School Superintendent Karl Springer spoke at some length on Wednesday, August 6th, to a gathering of American Federation of Teachers Worksite Leaders. The Worksite Leaders, who are the primary representatives for OKC-AFT Local 2309, met in the union's conference room to discuss their responsibilities for the coming school year in their respective school buildings . OKC-AFT is the bargaining representative for all certified teachers in the Oklahoma City Public School District.
New Oklahoma City Superintendent Karl Springer
Mr. Springer talked about his goals for the district emphasizing the need for "responsibility" and "transparency." He stated that while he will delegate authority where necessary, "I can never delegate responsibility. When that happens, all you get in finger pointing." When one teacher asked Mr. Springer about the problems the district has had with previous superintendents, Springer stated, "When I am driving, I find it is best to always look through the windshield. I cannot be always looking in the rearview mirror." Mr. Springer outlined his strategy for building relationships in the community which is to maintain complete transparency. He also promised that he will also set aside time on a regular basis to visit building sites.
Worksite Leaders and AFT President Ed Allen listen to Superintendent Karl Springer
Mr. Springer seemed to impress the teachers present for the meeting. Said one veteran teacher, "The best thing about him is that he talks like a teacher." Mr. Springer emphasized his years in the classroom before becoming superintendent of the Mustang School District, his last assignment before accepting the job in Oklahoma City following the resignation of superitendent, John Q. Porter who served only a few months as superitendent of the district.
AFT President Ed Allen and OKC Superintendent Karl Springer pledge their best effort for a successful school year.

Karl Springer named as Superintendent of OKC Public Schools

Karl Springer has been named to be the next superitendent of the Oklahoma City Public Schools. He has served as superintendent of the Mustang Public Schools. Mustang is a fairly affluent suburb of Oklahoma City. Mr. Springer fulfills at least part of what I believed to be a requirement for the next superitendent in that he is a local person. He is not what I call an "Insider." I am not certain at this time how much experience he has had with urban schools like those in OKC, nor do I know what kind of "blue water" experience he has had in the classroom.

All of that will come out soon, I'm sure.

My concern is that he knows that working in an urban school district won't be like working in a suburb like Mustang. One problem he will have is gaining the trust of teachers who have seen the superintendent's office become a revolving door. A lot of the attitude will be, "I've was a teacher before this guy came here, and I'll be a teacher after he has gone." He won't gain trust by simply ordering folks around. That's not how a democratic school system works.

from The Oklahoman Springer named OKC schools superintendent