Project Director selected for 1921 Race Massacre Centennial Commission

State Senator Kevin Matthews, Chair of the 1921 Race Massacre Centennial Commission, announced Friday that Tulsan Phil Armstrong had been chosen to serve as project director. The Commission will facilitate actions, activities, and events that commemorate and educate citizens in Oklahoma and throughout the nation about the history surrounding the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in an area that was once known as the nation’s Black Wall Street. 

The Commission named Armstrong after a detailed selection process from a pool of 28 applicants, with five finalists appearing before a panel consisting of the Commission’s sub-committee chairs for in-depth personal interviews.

“As project director, Phil will work with the Commission, its subcommittees and key Greenwood District organizations to execute plans for the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre,” Matthews said.  “I’m very pleased with Phil’s selection and I know he will do an excellent job on behalf of the Commission.”

Matthews said Armstrong has a varied background in the corporate sector and as an entrepreneur in the restaurant business.  A native of Ohio, Armstrong has made Tulsa his home for more than 20 years and has been actively engaged in the community by serving on several non-profit boards, including the Barthelmes School for Music, Community Service Council, Reading Partners of Tulsa and as chairman of the board for the Greenwood Cultural Center. 

Armstrong holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Akron. A gifted vocalist, Armstrong also sings for several events and organizations in the Tulsa metro, including performing the National Anthem for the Tulsa Drillers and Tulsa Roughnecks home games. 

Clyde Boyd Middle School bans cell phones to increase student engagement

The Sand Springs Public School district approved a new policy this summer, banning the use of cellular phones and other electronic devices at Clyde Boyd Middle School and the Sixth Grade Center during school hours.

“In an effort to increase student engagement, enhance student learning, and decrease cyberbullying; CBMS/SGC is implementing a new SSPS Board of Education approved Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy this year,” reads an announcement put forth by the district.

“Students are not allowed to possess cellular phones or electronic devices during school hours. Cellular phones and electronic devices are to be kept in the student’s locked locker between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Students may check text messages between passing periods, but phone calls, videoing, taking pictures and listening to music will not be permitted. The school is not responsible for theft or damage of any of these items brought to school or activities.

“This policy will be enforced starting the first day of school, Tuesday, August 20. With this in mind, we are implementing the following procedure:

• Every student will have an assigned locker. Students are responsible for bringing their own combination lock.

• Students will get their assigned locker numbers during schedule pick up. Their locker number will be listed on their schedule.

• Please bring combination locks during schedule pick up August 13: 9-11 AM; 1-3 PM; or 4-6 PM. You may put your lock on your locker at this time. Students will be required to provide their combination to their 5th hour teacher on the first day of school. The 5th hour teachers will review the new policy and procedures with the students at this time.

• If your child does not have a lock on their locker and they bring their phone or electronic device to school, they will be required to leave it in the office during the school day.

• The consequences for not following this policy are detailed in the CBMS/SGC Student Handbook Addendum which can be found on the school website under Parent/Student Documents. Consequences will be implemented starting Monday, August 26, 2019.

“Thank you for your support in our efforts to improve your child’s educational experience.

Sincerely,
CBMS/SGC Administration”

Construction begins on new Highway 97 intersection

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces plans for additional construction at the recently acquired 18-acre Sheffield Crossing Development District (2300 S. Hwy 97) in Sand Springs. Following the City’s award of a $1.58M bid for the project, the contractor has begun construction of a new highway intersection with traffic control signals, roadway improvements and more along Oklahoma State Highway 97, just north of the Arkansas River. The work is slated for completion later this fall.

This new entrance (at the site of the former steel mill plant entry) will come with a new southbound turning lane, leading into Sheffield Crossing. Additional work will deliver a storm water system (to help carry rainfall away from the redevelopment area) as well as a new water and sanitary sewer line.

All of this is happening as the result of the City’s desire to bring new retail development to this high-profile site in Sand Springs.

“Since the land acquisition in 2017, which was the result of an excellent public/private effort with the OmniTRAX group, the City has pushed continuously towards improvements here. Planning, budgeting and more take time to coordinate, and we are pleased to now award the work and welcome the general contractor to the site,” stated Sand Springs City Manager Elizabeth Gray.

The City’s push adds to the value of this, the largest City economic development project in fifteen years. While the site is not completely ready, a commercially viable retail pad site will also receive rough grading for use in the future.

Drivers may have noticed a large mass of reinforced concrete still stockpiled there. This material is the result of a previous phase of demolition. The City is working with OmniTRAX (who are the current owners of the material) to finalize plans to repurpose the material in a future phase of the project.

While not part of this project, the City is also planning to add a paved (internal) roadway that will connect traffic from Morrow Road (near current Wal Mart site), through the Sheffield Crossing development, onto southbound HWY 97. Those project plans have not been finalized.

“It takes the full support of our City Council members, a vision for redevelopment, a committed staff and time to pull together multi-million dollar projects such as these in our community”, stated Mayor Jim Spoon. “We’ve been actively working on this for more than two years and feel this work will truly set the stage for our next phase of success.”

The 18-acre Sheffield Crossing site is owned by the City of Sand Springs. Inquiries about potential development or pad sites may be directed to staff at grant@sandspringsok.org or at (918) 246-2504.

State Election Board Urges Voters to Respond to Address Confirmation Notice

(Oklahoma City) – This past spring, more than 181,000 Address Confirmation Notices were mailed to certain Oklahoma voters, as required by law. Nearly two months later, more than 134,000 notices remain outstanding, state election officials said today. Voters who do not respond to the Address Confirmation Notice by July 27 will be declared “inactive.” State election officials urge any voter who has not responded to the notice, to do so as soon as possible.

State Election Board spokesperson, Misha Mohr, said voters can respond to the Address Confirmation Notice by mail or online at http://ok.gov/elections.

“An Address Confirmation Notice has to be signed and dated by the voter in order for election officials to confirm or make changes to a voter registration. Those who respond online will be asked to take an oath. It’s one of the many safeguards we have in place to protect the integrity of our election system,” said Mohr.

State and federal law require that Address Confirmation Notices be mailed to certain voters every two years. Voters who do not respond by the deadline will automatically be designated as “inactive” voters. “Inactive” voters are still registered voters who are eligible to vote, and can automatically change their status to “active” by voting or updating their registration during the next two General Election cycles.

Mohr reminds Oklahomans that voters who are designated “inactive” this year and remain “inactive” following the 2022 General Election are required by law to be removed from the voter rolls.

Next-of-kin who need to cancel the registration of a deceased relative or those who have moved out of state can complete a Request to Cancel Voter Registration form which can be found on the State Election Board website at https://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Cancel_Voter_Registration/index.html.

To learn more about the address confirmation and voter list maintenance process, see 26 O.S.§ 4-120. 

For more information, contact State Election Board Public Information Officer, Misha Mohr, at: mmohr@elections.ok.gov or by phone at (405) 522-6624.

Communication Federal Credit Union Offers Blood Donors Chance to Win $1,000 VISA® Gift Cards – July 13

July 10, 2019 ─ Communication Federal Credit Union is giving Oklahoma Blood Institute donors an early reason to get excited about going back to school.  Each person* who gives blood on Saturday, July 13, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., at Tulsa Promenade will be entered to win one of two $1,000 VISA® gift cards.

“We’re doubling our community impact by having a blood and school supply drive simultaneously,” said Larry Shropshire, president and CEO of Communication Federal Credit Union.  “We want to ‘pack the bloodmobile’ with donors as well as pack our local classrooms with supplies for kids in need.” 

Shropshire urges all who come out to give blood to also bring school supplies.  Those who donate school supplies and blood receive two entries to win one of the $1,000 VISA® gift cards. 

Each donor will receive a “Summer Vibes” t-shirt and their choice of voucher for free entry to Frontier City Theme Park (1 entry), or Science Museum Oklahoma (1 entry) or Safari Joe’s H2O Water & Adventure Park (2 entries). pass for two to Safari Joe’s H20 Water Park.  Free pizza will be served from 11am-2pm and 98.5 KVOO and 106.9 K-HITS will be broadcasting live from the blood drive event.

Oklahoma Blood Institute provides every drop of blood needed to more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide.  Appointments to give blood are not necessary, but can be made by calling 877-340-8777 or by visiting obi.org.

*16 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.  Please note: You will not be able to redeem your voucher on the same day as your donation. Please allow up to 48 hours for your donation to be entered into our system. Frontier City voucher is not valid on Saturdays. You must set up your donor profile with a valid email at yourbloodinstitute.org to receive your voucher.

Fireworks Permit Sales Available in City of Sand Springs

The City of Sand Springs will offer fireworks permits for $20 each for any resident wishing to discharge fireworks within the city limits of Sand Springs. Walk up sales for the mandatory permits begin on Wednesday, June 19, and will end at 4:00 p.m. on July 3. The permits must be purchased by an adult age 18 or older that serves as the responsible party for activities at an individual residence. Permits are non-transferable.

During the holiday, permit holders can use residential streets as a fireworks discharge area provided that activities do not hinder traffic and all debris is removed. Fireworks may be discharged in the Sand Springs city limits on July 3 from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. and on July 4 from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. No other use of fireworks is allowed outside of these times.

Permits can be purchased using either of two methods: 1) purchase in person at Sand Springs Fire Department Administration Offices, located at 108 E Broadway St; 2) purchase online at www.sandspringsok.org/fwpermit

Citizens opting to purchase in person can visit the Fire Administration office from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays beginning Wednesday, June 19 and running through Wednesday, July 3. Fire Administration will remain open during the lunch hour to accommodate purchases during the week of Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28.

“Last year’s success of online sales makes purchasing more convenient with less time restrictions on when they can be purchased,” said Sand Springs Deputy Fire Chief Justin Hall. Online sales will end however at 4:00 p.m. on July 4. There will be a processing fee of approximately $2 added to each electronic transaction.

Although fireworks can be enjoyed by citizens, fire officials urge residents to remember that live fireworks often frighten and stress animals. Officials ask that citizens take a moment to secure their pets to reduce the chances of animals running away.

Fees collected from permits help offset overtime costs of police and fire officials who patrol neighborhoods on this busy holiday to assure fireworks are being discharged responsibly with a valid permit. Without the permit, the pre-set court fine for illegally discharging of fireworks in the city limits is $171. However, a maximum fine of $500 plus court costs can be imposed for serious or repetitive violations.

For further information about fireworks permits, call the Sand Springs Fire Administration Office at 918-246-2548.

3rd Annual Cheers & Gears Auto Show set for June 22nd at Charles Page High School

The Third Annual Cheers & Gears Auto Show will return to the Charles Page High School parking lot Saturday, June 22nd in Sand Springs. The event is hosted by the Sandite Cheer Team as an annual fundraiser.

All makes, models and years of cars, trucks, Rat Rods and Kit Cars can be shown. Registration will be from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. with a $25 fee for each vehicle.

Admission is free for spectators not exhibiting a vehicle. Dash plaques and goody bags will be given to the first 20 entries. All of the entrants will receive a ticket for the door prize drawings. Awards will be presented at 3:00 p.m. The event has something for everyone, including: food trucks, snow cones, drink & candy concessions, live DJ, t-shirts and hourly raffles.

4th year CPHS Varsity Cheer Coach Carrie Schlehuber is ready to welcome back many of the cheerleaders’ favorite cars and their owners, but is also excited to see and hear the new competition. “I remember when I was in school how we wanted to show off our new wheels… and many of us wanted to “sound off” too!”

This year the show has been expanded to over 20 classes including specialty awards with trophies for each. The “Loud & Proud” award will be given to the best sounding car when it revs up its engine. Also “Show Your Colors” trophies will be awarded to the Best Paint jobs for Original and Custom paint. The coveted “Cheer Choice” Award is chosen and presented by the Varsity Cheerleaders. All of the awards are unique handmade trophies designed and created by CPHS Tech Students.

Vendor parking spaces (or booth spaces) are available and also sponsor opportunities. For more show information, contact CPHS Varsity Cheer at cphsvarsitycheer@gmail.com.

For more information about the Cheers & Gears Auto Show, to download entry forms for auto owners, and for sponsorship and vendor opportunities, visit the show web site at https://www.cheersandgearsautoshow.com

Flood damage cleanup day scheduled for Case Community Park

Sand Springs, OK - The Sand Springs Local Church Network and the City of Sand Springs is teaming up to create a special Case Community Park Cleanup event this Saturday, June 8, 2019.

The volunteer cleanup event is open to everyone and will be assisted by City of Sand Springs Parks staff. Volunteers should arrive before 8:00 a.m. Parking will be located at the south end of the Case Community Center parking lot (1050 W. Wekiwa Road, Sand Springs, OK). All volunteers will be asked to sign in, in order to help the community receive additional FEMA credit for their efforts.

Volunteers will split into several teams, covering much of the 120-acre park site, which was heavily damaged from the historical flood event this month. Workers are advised to wear work clothes, gloves, proper footwear, hat and sunscreen. The event is weather dependent.

All parties interested in helping out should monitor the City of Sand Springs Facebook page, which includes a “special event” posting on this gathering with real time updates including weather information.

Volunteers do not need to bring anything, however those who are able and willing to bring and operate small chain saws and gasoline powered backpack blowers are needed. Sweep brooms are also needed. Other tasks will include relocating metal bleachers washed away; picking up tree debris, operating pressure washers, sweeping and blowing off concrete walks, splash pads and more.

Senator Ikley-Freeman Statement on Tulsa Area Flooding

TULSA – Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman, D-Tulsa, released the following statement addressing the recent flooding in Tulsa:

“Today we received an update from the Army Corps of Engineers indicating releases from the Keystone Dam are falling and the level of the Arkansas River is dropping. While this is welcome news, it is important for residents to be aware the situation is still very serious, and health and safety risks remain. As floodwaters recede, neighborhoods will be inspected for safety before evacuated residents are able to return.

“The last few weeks have been very challenging for our communities, but our residents are tough and resilient. Please remember that nobody has to go through this alone; there are many resources available to help those affected by the flooding and severe weather. Residents can still dial 2-1-1 to request assistance. My constituents in District 37 can also call my office at (405) 521-5600 if you have questions or have a specific request for assistance. If you are able to volunteer with relief efforts, please contact the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 or visit their website at redcross.org.

“Over the coming weeks and months, I will work tirelessly to make sure our communities have the tools to begin the long road to recovery. I have been coordinating with officials at the federal, state, and local levels on relief efforts and will continue working with them through the recovery process. I want to thank Tulsa City Councilor Jeannie Cue, County Commissioner Karen Keith, and all of the officials who have put in countless hours assisting impacted communities. We also acknowledge and thank the Army Corps of Engineers, Oklahoma National Guard, and first responders for all they have done to protect us. We will continue to come together as Oklahomans and we will move forward.”

Residents Urged to Use Caution When Reentering Flooded Homes

As many residents prepare to return to their homes and property damaged by floodwaters, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) encourages the public to use caution when reentering their home.

Scott Sproat, director of the OSDH Emergency Preparedness and Response Service, said there are a number of factors for residents to consider.

“In the upcoming weeks, there will be many Oklahomans returning to damaged homes,” said Sproat. “We want to ensure the public’s health and safety as we continue to recover from the recent disaster.”

If a flooded home has been closed up for several days, residents should assume there is mold and take proper precautions. Occupants should enter the home briefly to open doors and windows to let the house air out for at least 30 minutes before staying for any length of time. After standing water has been removed, use fans and dehumidifiers to help remove excess moisture. Fans should be placed at a window or door to blow the air outwards rather than inwards, so not to spread the mold.

It is recommended to have the home’s heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system checked and cleaned by a maintenance or service professional who is experienced in mold cleanup before being turned on. If the HVAC system was flooded with water, turning on the mold-contaminated HVAC will spread mold throughout the house. Professional cleaning will kill the mold and prevent later mold growth. When the service determines that the system is clean and if it is safe to do so, turn it on and use it to help remove excess moisture from your home.

The following additional safety tips are recommended:

• Ensure the utilities to a flooded building are shut off. Homeowners who are not familiar with electricity or their home’s electrical system should contact a professional to help make the property safe from electrical hazards.

• Use flashlights. Avoid using lanterns, torches or matches to examine dark buildings. Flammable gases may be present and open flames can cause a fire or explosion.

• Generators or other gasoline-powered machinery should only be used outdoors away from doors and windows as carbon monoxide exhaust can be fatal.

• Contact your doctor if you’re concerned about medications having spoiled.

• Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water as well as perishable foods which have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages. When in doubt, throw it out.

• Be on the lookout for snakes or rodents which may be looking for shelter on higher ground.

For more information about safety after a disaster, visit www.cdc.gov or www.ready.gov.

Chillin n Grillin BBQ Festival and Carnival returns to Sand Springs Thursday through Saturday

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 8th Annual Chillin n Grillin BBQ Festival on May 30, 31, and June 1st on 1st St. and Garfield Ave. The event has evolved into a three day event with a carnival being the headline on Thursday and Friday and then the BBQ will permeate downtown Friday night and all day Saturday. Several new activities and attractions have been added to the event.

Thursday May 30th 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Miscee Ann Smith will perform an acoustic jam session 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. while the carnival rides are available. There will also be food trucks to tempt your pallet, so bring your best gal or guy, grab a plate of food and listen to some great music.

Friday May 31st 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Live music will start at 6:00 p.m. featuring our very own Jennifer Marriott Band. Again the food trucks will be available along with beer and the carnival rides.

Saturday June 1st 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The gates will open to the public at 10:00 a.m. with arts and crafts vendors, carnival and the Express Employment Clydesdales (11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). Our Crowd Grub will open at 11:00 a.m. for some Award-Winning Pulled Pork Tacos, and live music from Nightingale Band featuring Bri Wright (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) and then a live remote with Big Country 99.5 FM (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.). Prizes for BBQ Contest winners will be announced at 3:00 p.m. The carnival will run until 10:00 p.m.

“Amidst all of the devastation happening at this time, we feel everyone needs a little something to smile about and family fun,” said Chamber President Kristen Cepak. “The Chamber is proud to announce that a large portion of our profits will be donated to the Sand Springs Community Services for flood relief to our community.”

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce started this event in 2011 with just a few teams. As the event has grown, the community has begun to look forward to it each year. The highlight this year is the Carnival. The community can purchase wrist bands for $20 in advance, $25 ad the gate, and ride unlimited rides on Thursday and Friday. Saturdays’ rides will be by ticket only. Tickets are $3 per ride.

For all of the details on Chillin n Grillin BBQ Festival go to the Chamber website; http://sandspringschamber.com/. You will be able to purchase wrist bands and taster kits.

Evacuations continue in Sand Springs as flood waters rise, Keystone output surpasses 205,000 cfs

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs is advising Meadow Valley residents and others living in low lying areas along the Arkansas River to expect REAL flooding to occur and to take immediate action. The City is advising residents to take immediate actions to remove or protect property from those areas, and to consider a voluntary evacuation by 6:00 p.m. today. There is no mandatory evacuation in place.

With new information this morning from the USACE of dam releases increasing to 215,000 cfs later today and holding there, the City expects portions of the Meadow Valley neighborhood, and potentially others, to flood. This flood event is expected to last for several days. Highway 51 near 137th West Avenue will likely flood, making vehicular traffic there impossible.

Last night the City of Sand Springs declared an emergency disaster proclamation, with actions to take place designed to protect public health, reduce damage and render emergency services to citizens. Officials from Webco Industries have made changes to their operations at the former “STAR” center until this flood event has passed and are closed. Case Community Park remains closed with warnings for citizens not to enter. City Police and Fire crews are working the various scenes around the clock to monitor.

If an American Red Cross emergency shelter is needed later, plans are in place now for that to happen. The City reminds area residents to monitor the City of Sand Springs Face Book page for real time updates.

City of Sand Springs Advising Citizens for Flood Potential

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs is advising area residents, especially those in the Meadow Valley housing neighborhood to brace for the potential of additional flooding. Although the rain event has stopped for now, the lag time for waters upstream of Keystone Dam to reach Sand Springs can delay flooding activities downstream for several hours.

Last night, City of Sand Springs Police and Fire teams reached out (via phone messages and neighborhood visits) to residents in the Meadow Valley neighborhood, along HWY 51 in Sand Springs to alert residents of the potential for flooding. This area, and others in Tulsa County which may not be in City limits but are near the Arkansas River, may be affected by the planned increases in outflows from Keystone Dam later tonight.

In Sand Springs City limits, Case Community Park has now closed until further notice. All sports and trail related activities are cancelled at this site. The Case Community Center (1050 W. Wekiwa Road) however remains open.

The City urges residents to pay attention to street closures and the accompanying traffic barricades that are placed to protect public safety.

This afternoon, the USACE confirms that 100,000 cubic feet/ second (cfs) of water is being currently, with 20,000 cfs increases planned at 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., leaving the discharge at that time to be around 160,000 cfs. The USACE will revise dam operations as needed after that.

Oklahoma Kids Local Vocal Competition comes to Tulsa Area

America’s “Big League of Little Entertainers,” Oklahoma Kids, a division of American Kids Inc., has set a local competition on April 13th, 2019 to be held at the new Kiefer Event Center in Kiefer, OK. The entry deadline is April 9th, according to Oklahoma Kids National Director Nathan Johnson. The membership and competition is open to all youth ages 3 through high school seniors, 18 years old. Nikki Anderson, event coordinator, can be contacted with questions at (620) 875-3731 or by email at Nikki.euphoria@gmail.com. All states are invited to participate in this local competition., and Entry forms and guidelines are available at https://www.americankidsinc.com/forms-2/ and may be used by young performers in all states. All Entry forms are due by April 9th .

The competition event will begin with registration at 9 a.m., followed by a brief parents meeting, with the Competition beginning immediately following the meeting. There will be an Awards Ceremony to conclude the day with a wide variety of prizes from cash to medals and trophies for five different age divisions at all levels of competition. The different levels of competition include six categories: Country Vocal, Gospel Vocal, Serious/Classical Vocal, Musical Theater, Popular Vocal, and Specialty Acts.

The Kiefer Local Competition event is followed by optional progressive levels of talent competitions, including a State Competition for qualifying acts which is held at the beautiful McSwain Theater in Ada, Oklahoma in June. The American Kids competition season will conclude with Nationals and an All Star
Show the third weekend in July in Nashville, Tennessee. The All Star Show is judged by entertainment industry professionals who will choose our new Entertainer of the Year for 2019.

“Our members present a wide variety of performances on the local, state and national level to share their talent for the benefit of others. 2019 will be a very exciting year for Oklahoma Kids with performances in several states nationwide, which are currently being cast,” said Nathan Johnson, National Director. “Members enjoy exposure, growth, character development, and opportunity. Because of the experiences gained from being on stage, members are better prepared for whatever they choose to do in life. Many members are performing on Broadway and on tour with Disney and in Branson and Nashville: Blake Shelton, Kristin Chenoweth, Carrie Underwood, Bryan White, Darci Lynn, and Alaska and Madi are all alumni of Oklahoma Kids,” according to American Kids Founder, Dr. Dale Smith.

Senate Review by Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman

The following article contains opinions from the author that do not necessarily reflect those of Sandite Pride News or its staff. To submit an Op-ed contact Sanditepridenews@gmail.com

Last Thursday was the final day for third reading of bills in the House of origin. This simply means bills not passed off the Senate floor are dead for this session. We start the next step in the legislative process as we begin to consider House bills in Senate committees. Last year, the Legislature considered 2,289 bills, of which only 324 became law. This year, 1,061 SBs and Senate Joint Resolutions have been filed, with 429 passing off the Senate floor in time for last week’s deadline.  

I currently serve on five Senate committees; Education, Appropriations, Budget & Rules, Health & Human Services and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. 

Ensuring access to quality health care and mental health care services are just two of my passions and my professional experience as a mental health therapist brings a unique perspective and skillset to my role as a legislator. Focusing on the importance of mental health, I authored several measures this year that would be another step in helping students in Oklahoma schools.

Senate Bill 266 requires each school district to adopt policies related to suicide awareness and training and the reporting of student drug abuse. This includes adopting a training program and providing the program made available by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (ODMHSAS). Teachers, students, and administrators are granted immunity from employment discipline and civil liability for carrying out certain actions detailed by the measure. I authored this bill because it’s essential for more people to understand depression and suicidality and the importance of increasing awareness in our district and across the state. Just within our Senate district, schools report seeing an average of eight suicide notes a day. This is an eye-opening statistic that supports the need for increased education, programming and funding to address mental health care for Oklahoma’s students.

A second bill I authored this session is Senate Bill 452, which was created as a result of an interim study between the Department of Juvenile Affairs, DMHSAS and the Department of Education to create alternatives to school suspension for students. SB 452 directs school districts to consider restorative practices instead of out-of-school suspension for students who assault school personnel. Restorative practices could include community service, requiring the student to apologize, assessment for mental health, and referrals to mental health professionals and would be made available to all students of the district. The measure specifies that school districts must provide for a student’s reengagement if suspension or alternative school settings are utilized and also asks school districts to create a threat assessment for a student convicted of a violent crime.

If you are excited or concerned about any piece of legislation moving into the Senate from the House in the coming weeks; especially related to the committees I serve on, please reach out and let’s talk. Don't forget include your address so we know you are a constituent of our district. If you need help determining your Senate district, we would be happy to assist you. If you are visiting the Capitol and would like to stop by, our new office is located in Room 524.

As always, on any issue please feel free to contact my office at 405-521-5600 or at Allison.ikley.freeman@oksenate.gov. Please let me or my assistant, Audra, know if we can be of assistance to you. It is an honor to serve Senate District 37 and I look forward to continuing to represent you.  

Senate Review by Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman

The following article contains opinions from the author that do not necessarily reflect those of Sandite Pride News or its staff. To submit an Op-ed contact Sanditepridenews@gmail.com

As the end of the fifth legislative week comes to a close, our focus has now shifted to hearing bills on the Senate floor. Last week was the deadline for Senate bills to be heard in committee, and at the end of that deadline there were still 511 bills in committee, with 9 failing in committee. As of the end of this week, there were 333 pending bills on Senate General Order, with 201 already passed on the Senate floor and sent to the House. Our next deadline is March 14, which is the last date for bills and joint resolutions to be heard in their chamber of origin. Any measures not heard by this date are generally considered dead for this legislative year.

Many of you know one of my strongest areas of interest and focus is mental health. Before being elected to the Senate, I worked as a mental health counselor. It’s always been my belief that it’s less expensive to address mental health issues early, so early intervention in public schools is a logical place to start. 

Oklahoma has some of the highest rates for mental illness and substance use disorders. In 2012, Oklahoma ranked third in the nation (22.4%) in any mental illness and second in the nation (11.9%) for substance abuse disorders. This means that between 700,000 and 950,000 adult Oklahomans need services, but most are not receiving the care they need to recover from their illnesses. As the years have passed, the statistics haven’t changed much, and in some regards, have grown more even more concerning.

This week, the full Senate approved Senate Bill 257, which increases the full-time employee limit from one to two employees for the State Board of Licensed Social Workers. The Board currently utilizes one full time employee and two temporary employees to supervise almost 1,500 licensed social workers. Licensure boards assist the government in fulfilling one of its main covenants to the public- protection from harm. By having specific occupations regulated through licensing government can help its citizens know when someone offering goods or services in this area is meeting basic expectations for safety of their consumers. An understaffed board translates to less thorough supervision and can lead over time to a lack of meeting the public's expectations. This change will help the State Board of Licensed Social Workers continue to meet your standards for public safety in the profession. 

It’s an honor to serve Senate District 37 and I look forward to continuing to represent you in the days ahead. As always, I welcome your input on concerns and issues. If you are visiting the Capitol and would like to stop by, our new office is located in Room 524. My office number is remains (405) 521-5600 and my email is allison.ikley.freeman@oksenate.gov. Please let me or my assistant, Audra, know if we can be of assistance to you.

Senate approves pre-registration for young Oklahoma voters

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate unanimously approved legislation Wednesday to ensure young Oklahomans do not miss their first elections. Sen. Jason Smalley is the author of Senate Bill 496 to allow those who are at least 17.5 to 18 years old to pre-register to vote.

“Currently, Oklahomans can’t register to vote until they’re 18 years old.  This can cause them to miss voting if their birthdays fall after the registration deadline for an upcoming election,” said Smalley, R-Stroud.  “Casting one’s first vote is such an exciting right of passage for a young person.  By allowing them to pre-register, they can actually vote on their 18thbirthday rather than waiting for their registration to be processed.”

Under SB 496, anyone who pre-registers to vote prior to their 18th birthday will be allowed to vote beginning on their birthday. 

The measure now moves to the House for further consideration.

Storm Spotter Training Class rescheduled for late February

Sand Springs, OK - A Storm Spotter Training Class originally scheduled for January 30th in Sand Springs has been postponed till February 27th due to the recent Federal Government Shutdown.

The class will be administered by meteorologists from the National Weather Service (NWS), which is a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Weather changes constantly in Oklahoma – and sometimes not for the better. Understanding what is going on in the skies above can be a life or death proposition.

Sand Springs’ location on the western edge of the Tulsa metropolitan area places it on the front lines for severe weather events, which can potentially impact thousands of Oklahomans. Trained citizen storm spotters play a critical role in providing life-saving information to local emergency managers and meteorologists at the NWS office in Tulsa.

Area residents can receive storm spotter training from NWS meteorologists on Wednesday, February 27th, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at the Case Community Center, 1050 W. Wekiwa Rd. There is no charge to attend, and pre-registration is not necessary. The training lasts about two hours.

The training benefits all citizens – from those affiliated with storm spotting organizations to those just wanting a better understanding of what is happening around them when skies turn dark. It includes videos of severe storms and information on how severe storms form and what they look like. The training will include statistics on severe storms and the damages they cause each time severe weather happens.

The training will help citizens better understand the different severe weather watches and warnings issued by NWS and help storm spotters analyze the differences between storms with real severe weather potential from those that only have menacing-looking clouds.

Although recent technology has greatly enhanced meteorologists’ abilities to provide critical and accurate storm information, trained storm spotters are irreplaceable for providing on-the-ground accounts of what is actually happening at specific locations. Many citizens have taken the class over the years to enhance their own piece of mind, as well as possibly save the lives of others during a weather emergency. 

City of Sand Springs Budget Fair Set for January 28th

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces an opportunity for citizens to provide input into annual budget priorities for the community. This year's Budget Fair will take place on Monday, January 28, 2019, from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Sand Springs Municipal Building, 100 E. Broadway, in downtown Sand Springs. This come and go event will take place on the second floor.

Department leaders including police, fire, parks, public works and more will be on-hand to listen to citizen input and help answer questions about annual operations and explain typical annual budget priorities. The Sand Springs City Council and City staff extend this important public opportunity to residents living within the corporate limits of Sand Springs to participate in the creation of the upcoming Fiscal Year 2020 Budget. The City's annual budget year begins on July 1, 2019, and runs through June 30, the following year.

Sen. Boren files legislation to increase funding for textbooks and other instructional materials

State Sen. Mary Boren has filed legislation aimed at putting more resources directly in the classroom for textbooks and other teaching materials.  Her legislation also requires funding allocated for instructional materials is used for that purpose. 

Boren, a former educator who has previously worked for both the State Department of Education the State Regents for Higher Education, said Senate Bill 206 would increase the per pupil amount for textbook and other instructional materials, which includes things like e-books, software and other related materials.  The measure would increase that amount from $55 to $200.

“When I worked for the Department of Education in 2001, the state was providing $55 per student.  Even though costs have risen dramatically since then, that amount is still just $55—plus, during the economic downturn, districts were given the ability to redirect those funds to other areas,” said Boren, D-Norman.  

“The combined result is school after school with tattered, outdated and insufficient textbooks and instructional materials and teachers and supporters being forced to plead for donations.  If we want our children to be able to compete, they need current textbooks and materials.  Forcing teachers and supporters to turn to outside fundraising may help in wealthier districts, but in many communities throughout the state, the resources simply aren’t there and our children are not getting the instructional materials they need to succeed. After looking at other states and visiting with Oklahoma teachers and administrators, it’s clear that $200 is a much more accurate reflection of the actual cost of instructional materials.”

Boren pointed out that since statehood, Oklahoma’s Constitution has required the state to provide textbooks.

“The vision for our public schools was that all children would have an equitable educational opportunity but without adequate state support it cannot happen,” Boren said.  

Boren’s legislation would also expand textbook selection committees at the local level to make sure teachers from each school within a district are included in that process.

“Those committees are evaluating material for every grade level, but under the current structure, you may or may not have teachers from all grade levels included,” Boren said.  “My language will include teachers from each district’s elementary, middle and high schools on those textbook committees.”

Boren said the investment made in teacher salaries last year was a critical starting point for education in Oklahoma and hopes her legislation will represent the next step.

“As we consider turnaround strategies for our state, it must include an examination of the level of investment our students deserve.  Senate Bill 206 gives us that opportunity,” Boren said.