January - School Board Appreciation Month

   Many public school advocates know that January is "School Board Appreciation Month" in Oklahoma as well as nation wide. Local school board members in Oklahoma are democratically elected public officials who receive many complaints, but no compensation or pay - and very little gratitude for the difficult job they do. They do the job, because it's the right thing to do - not because they receive recognition or accolades for the many hours of work and often times stress. Most local board members make all decisions based on what's best for their public school students first, and secondly - what's best for their employees.
   Most of the time, what's in the best interest of students is also in the best interest of employees. For instance, the best interest of students and teachers are served if teachers are paid a living wage. Much research indicates that states which place a high priority on student instruction by paying teachers a livable wage, also have public school student success. It's the reason local school boards want Oklahoma State legislators to increase teacher pay - to also increase student success. Many local school boards in Oklahoma know that increasing teacher pay goes hand-in-hand with increasing student success, something our lawmakers have failed to grasp - as Oklahoma teacher pay is at the bottom of the barrel in Oklahoma. It's embarrassing for most Oklahomans and many lawmakers that teacher pay in Oklahoma ranks dead last among states. Unfortunately, there are still too many Oklahoma Lawmakers who believe that teachers receive the low pay they deserve, or that Oklahoma just doesn't have the money to pay teachers what they deserve. Both assumptions would be totally false.
   I can't speak for all Oklahoma local school boards, but I have observed what decisions the Blanchard Board of Education has made, over the last ten years - for Blanchard students, Blanchard teachers, and the Blanchard community: Over the last ten years, the local Blanchard Board of Education has 1) provided over $1,000,000 to teachers in the form of pay raises and bonuses, in the face of state funding cuts and legislative mismanagement; 2) provided $millions in new classrooms, new teaching facilities, new school buses, and new technological advancements to students; 3) provided top teachers, principals, and student support employees - to students; 4) provided the best school calendar each year - for student learning and parental necessity.
   The Blanchard Board of Education makes all important decisions based on what's best for kids - always. Blanchard teachers and support employees, students, parents, and school patrons are very lucky to have a school board which recognizes the importance of student success and actions they must take to ensure the best learning environment possible. The Blanchard board members deserve the respect and admiration from the Blanchard community - because they're kind of "old-fashioned", they truly care...
   The Blanchard board members and years of service are: President Tim Sluder, 10 years; Vice-President Vince Young, 4 years; Clerk Tom Maston, 3 years; Member David Paulk, 22 years; and Member Liz George, 1 year. Once again, this Blanchard Board of Education deserves the thanks and gratitude of the community, so if you happen to see one downtown -  just say thanks for a job well-done...