Education reporter @OklahomaWatch. Cut my teeth at @rgsun. She/her. Tips welcome: jpalmer at oklahomawatch dot org or jennifer palmer okc at proton dot me
Testimony in the Epic Charter Schools hearing this week is reminding me of all the articles I've written over the years. Want to walk down memory lane with me? A 🧵
The Oklahoma Supreme Court today ruled in favor of Edmond Public Schools, affirming local boards' authority to choose library books based on their community's standards. It's a unanimous decision. #oklaed
Regan Killackey, an #oklaed teacher who sued over House Bill 1775 (the anti-critical race theory law) could lose his teaching license.
He's on the agenda for possible suspension during tomorrow's board of ed meeting. His district (@EdmondSchools) doesn't know why. (cont.)
NEW: @Okla_OAG issued a formal opinion that the @oksde did not have authority to pass rules on school library content and gender pronouns in schools.
The rules are "void, cannot be placed into effect, and cannot be enforced," according to the press release. 1/4
I don't like name calling. But I do like showing my work! So for anyone curious about the facts behind my latest story about the @oksde canceling its search for a Bible vendor, here ya go! A 🧵
NEW, from me and @wsuares: @RyanWaltersSupt 's national media blitz is paid with public dollars. The @oksde hired DC publicist @MaryVought to line up interviews.
We got emails that show exactly what they're pitching. 👀
1/ @OklahomaWatch 's first collaboration with @readfrontier published today, investigating @GovStitt 's $8 million Digital Wallet program, which was intended to provide educational items to students in the pandemic. Want to know what @reesejgorman@cliftonhowze and I found?
$40,000. That's how much @EpicCharter first estimated it would cost me for a records request. So we're suing.
These records belong to the public, and like @streuli said, "we intend to make sure the public knows what's in them.
Public records show the Education Department wants to hire a firm to book and manage Superintendent Walters’ national media appearances. Critics say that’s not their job. #oklaed