OETA debate still on; Mazzei, Munson will pre-tape before Trump rally

One of the first questions political reporters and observers had after the announcement of President Trump's October 1st rally in Durant was whether the previously scheduled OETA gubernatorial debate between Republican nominee Mike Mazzei and Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson would still take place, after it was also announced that Mazzei would be joining the president at his Midterm Rally.

The debate is still on. OETA and the candidates will be pre-taping it earlier in the day, and airing it twice over the next few days:

Mike Mazzei Agrees to October 1 OETA Debate Following Schedule Accommodation

Tulsa, OK — With President Donald Trump scheduled to visit Oklahoma on Thursday, October 1, OETA has graciously agreed to pre-tape the gubernatorial debate earlier that day, allowing the debate to move forward as planned. The debate will air Thursday, October 1, 2026, and re-air Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Small: OETA doesn’t need state subsidies

I've enjoyed a lot of OETA/PBS content over the years; nature programs, historical documentaries, chilren's shows, classic films on the OETA Movie Club. My wife and I really enjoy the geneological show Finding Your Roots.

But here's the thing. Is it really the proper role of government to fund public broadcasting? I don't think it is. OETA, and PBS, and NPR - all of them can function apart from taxpayer funding. In the wake of Gov. Stitt's veto of OETA's reauthorization, a lot of media stations and personalities have decried the move. Perhaps they could step up to the plate and fund OETA/PBS much like C-SPAN is funded by the cable industry.

Here's a column by OCPA President Jonathan Small on the matter:

OETA doesn’t need state subsidies

By Jonathan Small

Gov. Kevin Stitt’s decision to veto reauthorization of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), the state’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) entity, has critics acting as though the sky is falling and that Big Bird is on his last legs.

Neither view is true. Big Bird will still be around even without Oklahoma government funding, as proven by the fact that 14 other states do not provide direct state funding to PBS stations. There are no reports of children aimless wandering the streets of those states without access to any educational programming.

Oklahoma now ranks 3rd nationwide in Pre-K access for 4 year-olds

Oklahoma rises to top 3 for Pre-K access

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 29, 2020) – Oklahoma climbs to third in the country for Pre-K access for 4-year-olds, according to a new report from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). In the same report last year, Oklahoma scored among the top eight states in the nation.

Oklahoma serves 86.5% of eligible 4-year-old children when public pre-kindergarten enrollment (76.3%) is combined with Head Start enrollment, the annual report states. Only the District of Columbia (87.3%) and Vermont (86.8%) serve more students. 

State Board of Education approves distance learning for remainder of school year

State Board approves distance learning for the remainder of the school year 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Date) – The State Board of Education unanimously approved an order that implements a Distance Learning Plan to complete the 2019-20 school year for Oklahoma students without reopening school buildings. The approval comes as numbers grow for positive COVID-19 cases in the state.

“Oklahoma has tremendous educators – strong, dedicated, tenacious and smart. We have faith and confidence that our districts and teachers are committed to creative and innovative ways to continue learning for their students, and they will rise to this challenge,” said State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. “Distance Learning Plans will look different from district to district. Many districts have used online tools for some time and will be able to hit the ground running. Others have little connectivity and communities with little or no access to computer technology. I know the hard-working educators in our districts will pull together to make this adjustment to benefit all learners.”

Beginning April 6, districts will be expected to provide distance learning for the rest of the school year. District leaders will also provide assurances to the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) of a Distance Learning Plan and ensure services continue for English learners and special education students.

“Our education communities are tough, resilient and committed. They know, as we all do, that we are all in this together. If this pandemic underscores anything, it is that we must help one another,” Hofmeister said. “We understand the challenges all Oklahomans are facing, and we know we can count on our schools to provide the best education possible in a way that ensures the safety and health of students and everyone in the school and community.”

OSDE will provide distance learning frameworks and resources on its website in the coming days. In addition, the agency is exploring how federal assistance could help digital connectivity for some districts. OETA, Oklahoma’s educational public TV network, will also provide help. In partnership with OSDE, OETA will broadcast instructional daytime programming for the state’s PreK-12 students.

While education will resume on April 6 with distance learning, there will not be traditional, in-person instruction or extracurricular activities. Districts will be expected to following critical safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control with regard to social distancing for students, staff and school families.

For the graduating class of 2020, each district will adopt a plan that establishes the assessment or assessments those students are required to take in order to graduate. 

The State Board took action on multiple waivers – ranging from school calendars to loosening current restrictions on funds – aimed at giving districts greater flexibility to respond to the needs of their students and communities.

Hofmeister proposes State Board of Education approve distance learning for rest of year, school buildings to remain closed

Hofmeister proposes State Board of Education approve distance learning for students starting April 6, school buildings to remain closed

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 23, 2020) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister announced today that she will propose a Continuous Learning Plan to the State Board of Education this week to complete the school year for Oklahoma students without reopening school buildings during the global pandemic. While the education of schoolchildren will resume with distance learning, there will not be traditional, in-person instruction or extracurricular activities, instead following critical safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control with regard to social distancing for students, staff and school families.

The Board will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, March 25. Board members will meet virtually.

In the course of a week, Hofmeister noted, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has secured federal waivers removing the burden of statewide assessments and permitting the delivery or curbside pick-up of nutritional meals for qualifying students for the remainder of the school year.

"Our districts have begun planning their alternative delivery methods to support student learning as they prepare to reconnect students with their teachers in adaptive ways,” she said.

“We are determined to support our Pre-K through high school students as well as English learners, special education students and those who need reinforced skills or additional enrichment. We recognize this reality will present challenges for many families and districts, but these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures. This coordinated, swift and thoughtful action will help safeguard the health and well-being of our communities, students and professionals in public schools. We must do absolutely everything in our power to reduce transmission of coronavirus.”

Beginning April 6, districts will be expected to provide distance learning for the remainder of the school year. How that learning occurs, Hofmeister said, will vary widely according to the capacity and needs of districts and their communities. Districts would start once they have provided assurances to OSDE of a distance learning plan as well as special services for English learners and special education students.

“I have faith in the commitment, innovation and creativity of Oklahoma educators and administrators,” Hofmeister said. “Many districts across our state have utilized online instruction already and likely will be able to hit the ground running. Other districts have significant technology limitations, while some might opt for instructional materials delivered to students. There will be a wide range of approaches and it will be far from ideal, but necessary as we embrace these changes and even sacrifice to protect the public health of our communities.”

She said the OSDE will offer a panoply of resources and guidance for districts to pursue distance learning. In addition, the agency is exploring how federal assistance could bolster digital connectivity for some districts. OETA, Oklahoma’s educational public TV network, will also provide help. In partnership with OSDE, OETA will broadcast instructional daytime programming for the state’s PreK-12 students.

Hofmeister noted the top priority for districts should be ensuring that high school seniors who are on track to graduate this school year receive the help they need. The State Board is expected to ensure district boards of education fulfill graduation requirements but in such a way that students are not negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Moreover, the State Board is poised to take action on a host of waivers – ranging from school calendars to loosening current restrictions on funds – aimed at giving districts greater flexibility to respond to the needs of their students and communities.

Late last week, the U.S. Department of Education granted waivers allowing the state to suspend standardized testing and Oklahoma School Report Cards for the 2019-20 school year.

Garrett King Named OETA Board of Directors Chairman

King Named OETA Board of Directors Chairman

From OETA, Sept. 12th, 2016 - The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) board of directors has selected Garrett King of Weatherford as its next chairman, effective immediately. Clarke Stroud was elected vice chairman and State Superintendent for Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister was named secretary. Glen D. Johnson, J.D., remains on the board as past chairman.

"OETA's programming was a valued part of my childhood and upbringing in the peanut fields between Binger and Eakly in northern Caddo County, and now as a father myself I'm honored that my colleagues on the OETA board of directors have named me the authority's 23rd chair since C. F. Spencer's election in 1953," said King. "I look forward to working with OETA's dedicated and innovative staff, our partners at the OETA Foundation and in state government and with OETA's enthusiastic and tireless supporters to further our mission of providing essential educational content and services that inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans to ideas and information that enrich our quality of life."

King serves as assistant to the president at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He previously served on the personal staff for U.S. Representative Frank D. Lucas (OK-3). King is a 2008 graduate of SWOSU, where he studied history and political science. He and his wife, Carissa, have one daughter, Nellie.

Stroud is vice president for student affairs and dean of students at the University of Oklahoma and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from OU. Stroud and his wife, Robin, have two children, McKenna and Callahan, and reside in Norman. Tulsa’s Hofmeister was sworn in as Oklahoma’s 14th State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jan. 12, 2015. Hofmeister is a former public school teacher and small-business owner. She and her husband Gerald have four grown children.

Johnson is the eighth chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. He was previously the 16th president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University and the 35th speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Johnson has a bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from the University of Oklahoma. He and his wife Melinda reside in Oklahoma City.

Six members of the OETA board of directors are appointed by state statute and the remaining seven are appointed by Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and include King, Stroud, Hofmeister, Johnson, Richard Beck, D.M.A., (Claremore), vice president of academic student affairs at Rogers State University; Ms. Suzanne Lair (Tulsa), site principal at Jenks Public Schools; David Boren, J.D., (Norman), president of the University of Oklahoma; Ms. Denise Castelli (Oklahoma City), owner of LimeLight Productions; Mr. Burns Hargis (Stillwater), president of Oklahoma State University; Larry Rice, Ed.D., (Claremore), president of Rogers State University; Ms. Elaine Hobson (Norman), speech language pathologist; and James W. Utterback, Ph.D., (Seminole), president of Seminole State College.

In accordance with Oklahoma Statute, Section 70-23-105 (operative July 1, 1985), the authority meets at least quarterly. The authority meetings are typically conducted on the fourth Tuesday in February, April, June, August, October and December and begin at 1 p.m. at OETA, 7403 North Kelley Avenue, Oklahoma City. Board agendas and minutes can be found online at http://www.oeta.tv/about/board-of-directors/.

Sole Fallin/Dorman debate airs tomorrow night

OETA: Watch the Gubernatorial Debate

Watch the sole gubernatorial debate between Republican incumbent Mary Fallin and Democratic challenger Joe Dorman on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m., as part of the OETA’s Oklahoma Votes 2014 statewide election coverage.

OETA will air the debate live across the state and stream online at www.oeta.tv, with viewers encouraged to join the conversation on their social media platforms by using the hashtag #okvotes14.

A panel of Oklahoma journalists, including OETA managing editor Dick Pryor, will ask the candidates questions, plus there will be questions from OSU students. Dr. Brandon Lenoir, a visiting OSU assistant professor in political science, will moderate the debate and OSU students will help facilitate the event.

Mary Fallin's Inauguration

The snow threatened to move Governor-elect Mary Fallin's inauguration ceremony inside, but with no success. With less than an hour to go, people are beginning to fill the seats outside the Capitol building for this historic ceremony.

You can watch the inauguration on OETA television stations, or online here (OETA).