Resolution passes 4-3 with questions at school board meeting

Several citizens filled up the Administration Building Monday evening for the Guthrie Board of Education meeting. The primary topic of conversation revolved around a resolution that opposes Common Core standards. 

Common Core has been  a controversial teaching curriculum that was adopted by Oklahoma in June 2010, but current House Bill 3399 would repeal the teaching standards and allow the Oklahoma State Board of Education to create new English and Math standards.

The bill has passed the House of Representatives (78-12), Senate committee and the Senate floor (37-10). The bill will now go to the House for another vote. 

Guthrie Board President Travis Sallee, whom authored the resolution, brought the resolution to the board meeting for approval, but not without questions, including the timing of the resolution which is already in the process of the House and Senate floors.

Board member Tom Holtz said the resolution was an after the fact resolution.

“It is basically pointless resolution. I am concerned why we are wasting our time on this. This would have been topical three or four months ago, but it certainly isn’t now.”

Board member Janna Pierson said she is opposed to any resolution and that it has nothing to do with Common Core and is against Common Core standards.

“Not sure there is a real need for it unless it is some political move,” Pierson said. “I just don’t know how this is going to help the kids of Guthrie.”

Sallee responded by saying, “I believe public education should be kept as close to the people in the district as possible. I view it as a great opportunity for us (school board) to say we support what the legislators are doing.”

The approved resolution is similar to one that the Sarpy County (Nebraska) Republican Party approved in June 2013. Guthrie School Board Resolution | Sarpy County Republican Party Resolution

“Yes, both houses have voted on it, but the compromise bill has not been written. I think this adds some credibility to the issue,” Sallee said.

Sallee went on to say that he understands that no other school board has taken this action in the state. In which Holtz replied, “I wonder why?”

Jennifer Bennett-Johnson, in her second board meeting since being elected, said this resolution will be an opportunity.

“I think as a school district that this would be an excellent opportunity to let our representatives know as a school district how we feel about it.”

The resolution was passed 4-3 with Sallee, Bennett-Johnson, Terry Pennington and Sharon Watts voting yes while Pierson, Holtz and Gail Davis voted no.