The Paper

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2019

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Poteau Daily News

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The Edmond Sun
EPIC continues to grow, possibly
3rd largest public school system
OKLAHOMA CITY —
EPIC Charter Schools has a
record number of students
for the current 2019-2020
school year and says it
anticipates to be the state’s
third largest public school
system in Oklahoma when
the State Department of
Education soon announces
enrollment for all
Oklahoma school districts.
The Oklahoma-based
virtual charter school
reported its Oct. 1 enroll-
ment was 28,070 students.
By comparison, Oct. 1
enrollment for EPIC the “EPIC’s growth shows the EPIC’s enrollment growth years, regardless of the are enrolled and being
previous school year was support that exists across suggests midterm funding, district’s current-year served — but for whom no
21,305 students. However, the state for public school which soon will be enrollment. state funding was provid-
EPIC ended the 2018-2019 options for Oklahoma fam- announced by the state, Midterm funding isn’t ed for the first semester of
school year with more than ilies and students,” said will likely be proportional- additional revenue for a the school year.
24,000 students, climbing Bart Banfield, superintend- ly higher than midterm school district. It is simply “We are proud to be
by more than 3,000 stu- ent for EPIC Charter funding for many tradi- the state adjusting funding serving a record number
dents during the course of Schools. “We serve stu- tional school districts. This at ‘midterm’ of the school of students this school
the school year. dents in all 77 counties and is because charter schools year to reflect school dis- year with fully certified
October 1 enrollment is believe our model is popu- are initially funded based tricts’ actual and audited teachers who have class
typically the date the lar with families because on the number of students enrollment. That is, what rosters on average of 27
Oklahoma Department of we individualize education enrolled as of Aug. 1, looks like an increase, or students each,” Banfield
Education reports for all to meet the unique needs whereas funding for tradi- decrease, in funding is said. “We anticipate we
school districts to deter- of each student. One size tional school districts is simply the state playing will continue to grow
mine school year enroll- does not fit all when it determined by the highest catch-up. In the case of throughout this school
ment for each school dis- comes to children, teach- enrollment number EPIC, the state is providing year, just as we have for the
trict. ing and learning.” shown for the last three funding for students who previous school years.”
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 The Kingfisher Times & Free Press

HPS superintendent improving

put By Barb Walter
the For the Times & Free Press
Dec ded Hennessey school board
ch- members discussed the super-
11 go. intendent’s health issues with
on him in a closed meeting Mon-
2019 ush- day night.
her Supt. Dr. Mike Woods crit-
Page ically injured his back in a
has one-vehicle accident the after-
0008 ord noon before the board’s Nov.
Clip 11 meeting, and underwent
first extensive back surgery.
resized
ing Woods told the Times &
52%
aid Free Press before the meeting
Hey, that he’d worked some every
ing other day last week in the af-
men ternoons. HENNESSEY SCHOOL Board Member Cristopher Choate,
“The board wants me to left, listens to Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, at Monday night’s
hed outline my plans to return to school board meeting. [TIMES-FREE PRESS Staff Photo]
ush- full-time service,” he said in a
phone conversation Monday Griffin. “So we can make a hole in our sinking fund,”
Alex afternoon. “We will go over sure they are carrying a few Woods told the senator.
our my schedule and medical con- wind turbines and oilfield When there were no more
dition.” and farm wide loads on the questions, Sen. Hall said he’d
d at The board spent about 45 two lanes.” go to the town board meeting
the minutes in the closed execu- Griffin said he also had to to address their concerns.
way tive session to discuss “per- move his business back off All board members were
me,” sonal health information” SH 51 a few years ago so it present for the meeting: Vice
had with him. No name was listed could be widened in town but President Dr. James Ma-
uld on the personnel agenda item. that still hasn’t happened. tousek, Clerk Luke Lough.
ing Woods walked slowly into Protests by wind compa- Joe Garrison, Cristopher Cho-
had the Monday night meeting nies over their valuations “left ate and Griffin.
room. He wore a jogging suit
fec- and tennis shoes instead of his
66
usual shirt and slacks.
g a Li v ing C h r ist
had
He had no trouble talking
with Sen. Chuck Hall (R-Per-
m e m as
Lo
n’s ry) who’d been invited to the
meeting by a board member to
ine discuss his work.
stin Woods told Hall that some-
ree. thing has to be done about the
yed current system where new
ball. teachers get emergency cer-
he- tifications for two years then
cut- alternative certifications for
aid, three years but are not given
vers career certifications.
Woods also touched on Drive-Through Living Christmas Pageant
ood teacher testing problems as
on the senator continued taking DECEMBER 20 Œ""85 TH
ver, notes about the superinten- — At The Cedar Gate —
ese dent’s concerns. This event is a joint gift of the Loyal United Methodist Church,
Woods then said, “Epic Loyal Evangelical Church, Omega Baptist Church and Immanuel
put (Charter Schools), and their Baptist Church, graciously hosted at The Cedar Gate 2.25
tate lack of accountability. Some- miles north of Highway 33 on N2740 Rd (Loyal/Calumet Road)
the thing has to be done about LQ .LQJÀVKHU &RXQW\ The Pageant will feature a host of live
their state funding.” animals including cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys and camels.
ext Hall nodded and contin- After driving through the Christmas scenes, join us at the
ady ued to take notes. Barn for hot chocolate, cookies, a craft for the kids, live music,
He was asked from the the reading of the Christmas Story from Luke 2, the symbols of
audience about getting SH 51 Christmas and visiting and fellowship with friends and neighbors.
four-laned from Hennessey to Any donations received will support activities for our youth
I-35. like the Summer Vacation Bible Experience at The Cedar Gate,
“And let us know when Wednesday Night Kids and the Lomega Youth
8]
they’re coming to look at it,” Come, bring your family and join us for
nth said Board President Patrick a beautiful celebration of the birth of Our Lord!
the
n ti-
81
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