An article in the Tulsa World - Epic Charter Schools sues state senator who questioned student attendance and funding, accusing him of slander details the great lengths a shady racket will extend to protect its millionaires. Another article in the DO - Epic Charter Schools suing state senator alleging libel, slander relates that the Epic attorney, Bill Hickman, filed the slander and libel lawsuit Monday, and is "seeking at least $75,000 in damages" from State Senator Ron Sharp (R) of Shawnee.
Senator Sharp's plight (as he stands up for our public schools and students in the fight against corrupt racketeers) reminds one of the oft-quoted message by Martin Niemoller - "Then They Came for Me". Martin Niemoller was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolph Hitler in the days before and during World War II. His famous message was given later in life. Despite his ardent nationalism, Niemoller spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. He was one of the earliest Germans to talk publicly about broader complicity in the Holocaust and guilt for what had happened to the Jews.
Here is that message that causes us to think deeply for the welfare of our fellowman:
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Socialist.
"Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
"Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Jew.
"Then they came for me-
and there was no one left to speak for me.
The quotation is from Niemoller's many lectures during the early years following the end of World War II. His point was that Germans - in particular the leaders of Protestant churches - had been complicit through their silence in the Nazi imprisonment, persecution, and murder of millions of people (LEADING WITH INTEGRITY, Clarence G. Oliver, Jr., Ed.D., 2015).
As public school officials, and more importantly as Oklahoma taxpayers, we should be speaking out against the unethical acquisition of taxpayer dollars by private management firms like Epic - and speaking out in support of those like Senator Sharp, who've had the courage to stand up and do what's right.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Friday, December 6, 2019
OCPA Double Standard or Not?
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) calls itself a "conservative think tank" which believes the "free market is the single greatest tool in the world for lifting the most people out of poverty...". The OCPA generally translates this philosophy to private goods and services, and even taxpayer funded government services - as a model for private management companies and individuals to become millionaires.
Public education and our traditional public schools have been the target of private management companies such as Epic Youth Services for quite sometime now, with the full support of the OCPA. The owners of Epic Public Schools (blended and virtual) have become millionaires at Oklahoma taxpayer expense over the last several years (since 2012), yet there has been no public outcry over what some refer to as a racket.
Consistency of its 'free market' policy for public services has become an issue as of late, as Ray Carter, director of OCPA's Center for Independent Journalism - wrote Lawmakers learn shady management companies could benefit from Medicaid expansion (https://www.ocpathink.org/post/lawmakers-learn-shady-management-companies-could-benefit-from-medicaid-expansion). Ray "Ray Ray" Carter is the former chief editorial writer at The Oklahoman whose wife is Jennifer Carter, the former chief-of-staff for the former state superintendent Janet Barresi. Ray Carter has an unhealthy dislike for our traditional public schools just as his bosses at the OCPA do. In the 'policy' article Mr. Carter laments that "... at a recent legislative study, lawmakers learned the beneficiaries of Medicaid expansion may include management companies that have run several Oklahoma hospitals into the ground." One lawmaker said some out-of-state management companies have simply taken on new names and have been "raiding our hospitals over and over again."
Someone from the OCPA (Ray Ray Carter) is gonna have to explain to us how Empower HMS (the Medicaid raider) is different from Epic Youth Services (the public school raider). The characteristics of both private management companies are the same, from the 'name changes' to the private acquisition of taxpayer dollars, but the OCPA clearly distinguishes a difference. Can anyone tell us what the difference is?
Public education and our traditional public schools have been the target of private management companies such as Epic Youth Services for quite sometime now, with the full support of the OCPA. The owners of Epic Public Schools (blended and virtual) have become millionaires at Oklahoma taxpayer expense over the last several years (since 2012), yet there has been no public outcry over what some refer to as a racket.
Consistency of its 'free market' policy for public services has become an issue as of late, as Ray Carter, director of OCPA's Center for Independent Journalism - wrote Lawmakers learn shady management companies could benefit from Medicaid expansion (https://www.ocpathink.org/post/lawmakers-learn-shady-management-companies-could-benefit-from-medicaid-expansion). Ray "Ray Ray" Carter is the former chief editorial writer at The Oklahoman whose wife is Jennifer Carter, the former chief-of-staff for the former state superintendent Janet Barresi. Ray Carter has an unhealthy dislike for our traditional public schools just as his bosses at the OCPA do. In the 'policy' article Mr. Carter laments that "... at a recent legislative study, lawmakers learned the beneficiaries of Medicaid expansion may include management companies that have run several Oklahoma hospitals into the ground." One lawmaker said some out-of-state management companies have simply taken on new names and have been "raiding our hospitals over and over again."
Someone from the OCPA (Ray Ray Carter) is gonna have to explain to us how Empower HMS (the Medicaid raider) is different from Epic Youth Services (the public school raider). The characteristics of both private management companies are the same, from the 'name changes' to the private acquisition of taxpayer dollars, but the OCPA clearly distinguishes a difference. Can anyone tell us what the difference is?
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
OSSAA Competitive Equity Plan for Volleyball
The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activity Association (OSSAA) will soon send out to a vote of the membership - a competitive equity revision for Rule 14, which affects only volleyball and tennis. Let's take a look at how it will affect volleyball, if implemented:
There are currently 32 class 6A, 32 class 5A, 32 class 4A, and 30 class 3A volleyball teams in the OSSAA - for a total 126. There are no private schools in class 6A, 6 private school volleyball teams in class 5A, 10 private schools in class 4A, and 6 private schools in class 3A.
If implemented, the new competitive equity rule will force the top four finishers in class 5A to class 6A. Since no volleyball team will be forced to advance more than one classification, the rule exempts two of the top four finishers from advancing to class 6A - which leaves Bishop Kelly and Bishop McGuinness to advance to 6A. If BK and BM advances to class 6A, the two smallest 6A teams (as per ADM) will regress to class 5A. Many OSSAA member schools believe the 'playing field' is level in class 6A sports, since no private schools exist in any class 6A activity. Many also believe the addition of BM and BK to class 6A volleyball will only tilt the 'playing field' toward private schools in class 6A competition. The question then becomes - will the departure of BM and BK from class 5A level the playing field for all schools in class 5A? The OSSAA seems to think it will, but at least two private schools will move up from class 4A, replacing BM and BK. Lincoln Christian and Regent Prep are likely to move up to class 5A from class 4A, unless the five other class 4A private schools would also qualify to bump to 5A - in which case a total seven private schools will move from class 4A to class 5A. In this scenario, class 5A volleyball's inequity would only be magnified. In summary, class 6A and class 5A volleyball will become new 'super' classifications for high school volleyball in the OSSAA. What about class 4A volleyball?
Since LC and RP have vacated class 4A, it leaves room for two class 3A volleyball teams to move up to 4A. The two most likely advancers are Metro Christian and Oklahoma Bible since they have finished as state champion and state runnerup of class 3A. Although no 3A teams have previously advanced in classification, Heritage Hall is also eligible to move to class 4A - providing all other qualifiers have been met. In the opinion of many OSSAA members - the competitive equity in class 4A will not be enhanced with the new bump-up rule (advancing private schools to class 6A), but what about class 3A?
For class 3A volleyball (the smallest classification) - Metro Christian, Oklahoma Bible, and Heritage Hall will likely advance to class 4A as a result of the old Rule 14, not the new revised competitive equity rule. Since class 4A volleyball is likely to lose two private schools due to the advancement rule, it will likely get three new private schools, for a net gain of one private school.
In summary, if the above likely scenarios are accurate - The new revised rule for competitive equity will do nothing for leveling the playing field in high school volleyball! If an OSSAA member school votes yes because it thinks the change will level the playing field for volleyball - think again. As a matter of fact many OSSAA members believe the new Rule will only tilt the playing field to a greater degree toward private schools.
As a prologue to this published re-classification scenario: Several weeks ago the OSSAA was given the opportunity to respond by correcting any errors of assumptions in the possible advancement of private schools (to class 6A). They have yet to respond, so we must assume the scenario is accurate.
There are currently 32 class 6A, 32 class 5A, 32 class 4A, and 30 class 3A volleyball teams in the OSSAA - for a total 126. There are no private schools in class 6A, 6 private school volleyball teams in class 5A, 10 private schools in class 4A, and 6 private schools in class 3A.
If implemented, the new competitive equity rule will force the top four finishers in class 5A to class 6A. Since no volleyball team will be forced to advance more than one classification, the rule exempts two of the top four finishers from advancing to class 6A - which leaves Bishop Kelly and Bishop McGuinness to advance to 6A. If BK and BM advances to class 6A, the two smallest 6A teams (as per ADM) will regress to class 5A. Many OSSAA member schools believe the 'playing field' is level in class 6A sports, since no private schools exist in any class 6A activity. Many also believe the addition of BM and BK to class 6A volleyball will only tilt the 'playing field' toward private schools in class 6A competition. The question then becomes - will the departure of BM and BK from class 5A level the playing field for all schools in class 5A? The OSSAA seems to think it will, but at least two private schools will move up from class 4A, replacing BM and BK. Lincoln Christian and Regent Prep are likely to move up to class 5A from class 4A, unless the five other class 4A private schools would also qualify to bump to 5A - in which case a total seven private schools will move from class 4A to class 5A. In this scenario, class 5A volleyball's inequity would only be magnified. In summary, class 6A and class 5A volleyball will become new 'super' classifications for high school volleyball in the OSSAA. What about class 4A volleyball?
Since LC and RP have vacated class 4A, it leaves room for two class 3A volleyball teams to move up to 4A. The two most likely advancers are Metro Christian and Oklahoma Bible since they have finished as state champion and state runnerup of class 3A. Although no 3A teams have previously advanced in classification, Heritage Hall is also eligible to move to class 4A - providing all other qualifiers have been met. In the opinion of many OSSAA members - the competitive equity in class 4A will not be enhanced with the new bump-up rule (advancing private schools to class 6A), but what about class 3A?
For class 3A volleyball (the smallest classification) - Metro Christian, Oklahoma Bible, and Heritage Hall will likely advance to class 4A as a result of the old Rule 14, not the new revised competitive equity rule. Since class 4A volleyball is likely to lose two private schools due to the advancement rule, it will likely get three new private schools, for a net gain of one private school.
In summary, if the above likely scenarios are accurate - The new revised rule for competitive equity will do nothing for leveling the playing field in high school volleyball! If an OSSAA member school votes yes because it thinks the change will level the playing field for volleyball - think again. As a matter of fact many OSSAA members believe the new Rule will only tilt the playing field to a greater degree toward private schools.
As a prologue to this published re-classification scenario: Several weeks ago the OSSAA was given the opportunity to respond by correcting any errors of assumptions in the possible advancement of private schools (to class 6A). They have yet to respond, so we must assume the scenario is accurate.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Misdirected Indignation... or Calculated Smokescreen?
Most educators and those readers of major state newspapers noticed the story of the newly hired public school superintendent who will earn a "high" contracted salary. The media publicized the fact that the superintendent may be earning a higher salary than superintendents of schools with more than ten times the number of students. Some employees of the school are said to have missed work, as a way to protest the superintendent's contract.
As a matter of fact, the TV and print news media has 'opined' several times in the past about "high superintendent salaries" as the root cause of low teacher salaries and the predicament of public education funding in Oklahoma. Some lawmakers have also echoed this 'false narrative' and misdirected indignation..., or is it the media echoing the lawmakers' indignation?
The media justifiably questioned the newly contracted salary for the superintendent mentioned above, but has conveniently ignored the 'public' school CEO right down the street, who is earning in excess of $5 million for a 'one year contract'. The CEO is earning as much as twenty times the salary of a school superintendent with the same number of students. Where is the media attention? Where is the taxpayer outrage? Where is the public school's teacher outrage?
Many public educators and taxpayers believe the silence on this issue is calculated and intentional. Many also believe the media focus and individual lawmaker indignation at 'other' superintendent salaries - is a calculated smokescreen designed to hide facts from Oklahoma taxpayers. Of course, this is all just one person's opinion, but based on analysis of facts. To be continued...
As a matter of fact, the TV and print news media has 'opined' several times in the past about "high superintendent salaries" as the root cause of low teacher salaries and the predicament of public education funding in Oklahoma. Some lawmakers have also echoed this 'false narrative' and misdirected indignation..., or is it the media echoing the lawmakers' indignation?
The media justifiably questioned the newly contracted salary for the superintendent mentioned above, but has conveniently ignored the 'public' school CEO right down the street, who is earning in excess of $5 million for a 'one year contract'. The CEO is earning as much as twenty times the salary of a school superintendent with the same number of students. Where is the media attention? Where is the taxpayer outrage? Where is the public school's teacher outrage?
Many public educators and taxpayers believe the silence on this issue is calculated and intentional. Many also believe the media focus and individual lawmaker indignation at 'other' superintendent salaries - is a calculated smokescreen designed to hide facts from Oklahoma taxpayers. Of course, this is all just one person's opinion, but based on analysis of facts. To be continued...
Thursday, November 7, 2019
OSSAA Competitive Equity Plan - Take Four...
OSSAA research indicates the only sure way to ensure competitive equity for all member schools is to separate schools for state play-off competition (Journal of Amateur Sport, National Review of Interscholastic Competitive Balance Solutions Related to the Public-Private Debate, Volume I, Issue I, 2015). Four other states have ditched their previous "multiplier" or "advancement" systems in favor of separating schools for play-off competition - because they claimed their systems did not work as hoped.The states which separate schools for play-off competition do so based on public and private schools, or separate schools based on advantage factors such as "financial assistance" and "restrictive enrollment".
Researched play-off competition in Oklahoma high school sports indicates that Rule 14 for competitive equity has also been a dismal failure for Oklahoma and the OSSAA. The competitive equity issue in Oklahoma was addressed by the OSSAA in 2011 with the passage of Rule 14. The Rule became effective for the 2012 sports seasons. In 2011, the year before Rule 14 was implemented, the football season ended with the following results for private schools:
Class 5A - Bishop Kelly, top eight (beaten in the 2011 state quarter-finals)
Class 4A - Bishop McGuinness, top four (beaten in the 2011 state semi-finals)
Class 3A - Cascia Hall, 2011 state runner-up
Class 2A - Lincoln Christian, top eight (beaten in the 2011 state quarter-finals)
Class A - No private schools
Class B - No private schools
Class C - No private schools
Approximately 6% of OSSAA member schools is private. In classes 2A through 5A, 32 schools made the top eight in 2011. Four schools were private, which indicates that 12.5% made the state play-offs. Six percent private membership but 12.5% in play-offs, indicates competitive equity was lacking for football during the 2011 season.
During the 2019 football season (seven years into the OSSAA's Rule 14 for competitive equity:
Class 5A - Bishop McGuinness ranked #1
Class 4A - No private schools
Class 3A - Heritage Hall ranked #1; Lincoln Christian ranked #2
Class 2A - Metro Christian ranked #1
Class A - Rejoice Christian ranked #2
Class B - Regent Prep ranked #2
Class C - Southwest Covenant ranked #1
The data analysis from the above play-offs for the 2011 and 2019 football seasons indicates that Rule 14 has been ineffective for promoting competitive equity in the OSSAA. Some member schools say that the implementation of Rule 14 in 2012 even made the problem worse. As a matter of fact, data from the volleyball state championships over the past three years indicate that Rule 14 has been a complete bust, and the OSSAA's solution to 'fix' the problem will only magnify the competitive equity issue.
So, what would a separation of public schools from private schools look like if the OSSAA decided to solve the competitive equity problem once and for all? The OSSAA executive director David Jackson stated "I think there are 24 private schools in the OSSAA", last week at the Westmoore regional meeting. In football, there are currently ten classifications for member schools (6AI, 6AII, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, C, and I), so the OSSAA is not reluctant to add classes. If Joe Van Tuyl's 2009 competitive equity plan were implemented and private schools were separated from public schools when the state playoffs started, it may look something like this:
Class IA - 8 private schools
Class IB - 11 private schools
Class IC (eight man) - 5 private schools
All private schools in the OSSAA would make the playoffs. The Class IC play-off scenario would pit the 4th and 5th seeded teams for the first round. The semi-final round would match the top seeded team with the winner of the 4th vs. 5th game, and the 2nd seeded team would play the 3rd seeded team. The class IB championship would play out the same way as the current 16 team bracket for playoffs - 8 vs. 11 and 9 vs. 10 the first week, and an 8 team bracket in weeks thereafter. The class IA championship bracket would play out as an 8 team bracket.
Everyone wins if the Van Tuyl plan is adopted by the members of the OSSAA: 1) The OSSAA wins because it generates more money for member schools. 2) Private schools win because all private schools make the play-offs, but continue to play public schools during the regular season. 3) Public schools win because more public schools make the play-offs. 4) Fans win because they get to see more "good games". For more information on this subject see:
mybackpagewithjimbeckhamblog.blogspot.com/2019/11/ossaa-regional-meeting-at-westmoore.html
Researched play-off competition in Oklahoma high school sports indicates that Rule 14 for competitive equity has also been a dismal failure for Oklahoma and the OSSAA. The competitive equity issue in Oklahoma was addressed by the OSSAA in 2011 with the passage of Rule 14. The Rule became effective for the 2012 sports seasons. In 2011, the year before Rule 14 was implemented, the football season ended with the following results for private schools:
Class 5A - Bishop Kelly, top eight (beaten in the 2011 state quarter-finals)
Class 4A - Bishop McGuinness, top four (beaten in the 2011 state semi-finals)
Class 3A - Cascia Hall, 2011 state runner-up
Class 2A - Lincoln Christian, top eight (beaten in the 2011 state quarter-finals)
Class A - No private schools
Class B - No private schools
Class C - No private schools
Approximately 6% of OSSAA member schools is private. In classes 2A through 5A, 32 schools made the top eight in 2011. Four schools were private, which indicates that 12.5% made the state play-offs. Six percent private membership but 12.5% in play-offs, indicates competitive equity was lacking for football during the 2011 season.
During the 2019 football season (seven years into the OSSAA's Rule 14 for competitive equity:
Class 5A - Bishop McGuinness ranked #1
Class 4A - No private schools
Class 3A - Heritage Hall ranked #1; Lincoln Christian ranked #2
Class 2A - Metro Christian ranked #1
Class A - Rejoice Christian ranked #2
Class B - Regent Prep ranked #2
Class C - Southwest Covenant ranked #1
The data analysis from the above play-offs for the 2011 and 2019 football seasons indicates that Rule 14 has been ineffective for promoting competitive equity in the OSSAA. Some member schools say that the implementation of Rule 14 in 2012 even made the problem worse. As a matter of fact, data from the volleyball state championships over the past three years indicate that Rule 14 has been a complete bust, and the OSSAA's solution to 'fix' the problem will only magnify the competitive equity issue.
So, what would a separation of public schools from private schools look like if the OSSAA decided to solve the competitive equity problem once and for all? The OSSAA executive director David Jackson stated "I think there are 24 private schools in the OSSAA", last week at the Westmoore regional meeting. In football, there are currently ten classifications for member schools (6AI, 6AII, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, C, and I), so the OSSAA is not reluctant to add classes. If Joe Van Tuyl's 2009 competitive equity plan were implemented and private schools were separated from public schools when the state playoffs started, it may look something like this:
Class IA - 8 private schools
Class IB - 11 private schools
Class IC (eight man) - 5 private schools
All private schools in the OSSAA would make the playoffs. The Class IC play-off scenario would pit the 4th and 5th seeded teams for the first round. The semi-final round would match the top seeded team with the winner of the 4th vs. 5th game, and the 2nd seeded team would play the 3rd seeded team. The class IB championship would play out the same way as the current 16 team bracket for playoffs - 8 vs. 11 and 9 vs. 10 the first week, and an 8 team bracket in weeks thereafter. The class IA championship bracket would play out as an 8 team bracket.
Everyone wins if the Van Tuyl plan is adopted by the members of the OSSAA: 1) The OSSAA wins because it generates more money for member schools. 2) Private schools win because all private schools make the play-offs, but continue to play public schools during the regular season. 3) Public schools win because more public schools make the play-offs. 4) Fans win because they get to see more "good games". For more information on this subject see:
mybackpagewithjimbeckhamblog.blogspot.com/2019/11/ossaa-regional-meeting-at-westmoore.html
Monday, November 4, 2019
OSSAA regional meeting at Westmoore
We attended the Oct. 31 regional OSSAA meeting at Westmoore, where the OSSAA's new "competitive equity" plan was to be discussed. OSSAA Executive Director David Jackson explained the plan is to advance four volleyball and tennis teams from class 5A to class 6A - if all Rule 14 criteria are met for the four schools. Rule 14 previously prevented any schools from advancing to class 6A by criteria. Jackson then asked if anyone in the room has concerns or questions about the proposal. Two members spoke up about the concern that a new "super" classification for volleyball will be created when four private schools are added to class 6A volleyball. David Jackson responded that 'we already have that in class 5A volleyball'. He seemed to imply that since we already have one "super" class (5A) for volleyball, we are justified in having two. Jackson went on to say that no other competitive equity plans were considered, other than 'enrollment based' plans. Both coaches that spoke out about the new "super" classification plan, agreed that a plan which separates private schools from public schools for state playoff competition is the only workable solution.
As an example of a classification system that has gone awry is the case of the Victory Christian (VC) High School volleyball team. In 2017, enrollment classification would have placed the team in class 3A, but was inadvertently advanced to class 5A (should have been advanced to class 4A as per Rule 14) - where it won the 5A championship. The convoluted nature of the Rule 14 advancement requirements was the reason for the OSSAA 'mistake'. As a matter of fact, we are not even sure of the above stated fact due to the 'super convoluted' nature of the rule. After winning the 5A championship in 2017, VC won the class 4A championship in 2018 - where it belonged according to the OSSAA 'enrollment based' system. Since VC won the 4A title in 2018, the OSSAA advanced it to class 5A for the 2019 season, where it won the 5A championship the last week of October. No one, including OSSAA officials, can truly say what class VC should compete, but after it won the 5A state title two weeks ago - the team broke out into a chant "We want 6A! We want 6A!". The OSSAA executive director assured the class 6A coaches at the Westmoore meeting that a team may only be advanced one class upward, and since VC had already 'advanced' to class 5A - it would not be going to class 6A next year (where it would also dominate).
The new and improved version of Rule 14 will affect volleyball by advancing the top four finishers in class 5A, to class 6A.. if all criteria are met for advancement. The new rule prohibits a team from advancing to 6A if it has already advanced to 5A previously. This would prevent VC from advancing to class 6A, since it had already advanced to 5A from 4A. So class 6A volleyball teams may be worried about something that won't happen. It appears Tulsa Bishop Kelly may be the only class 5A volleyball team to qualify for advancement to class 6A. If that is so, the smallest class 6A team, Yukon, would regress to class 5A, taking the place of Kelly. A class 4A team, Lincoln Christian, would likely be the only 4A team to advance to 5A. If this scenario happened, the smallest class 4A team would drop down to class 3A. The advancement of Lincoln Christian to class 5A would likely knock Bethany out of an earned play-off spot in 2019, resulting in the only class with all eight playoff teams being 'private'. Of course, this scenario is only conjecture, as Rule 14 becomes more convoluted with each revision.
The OSSAA will undoubtedly vote to send this revision out to a vote of the membership, unlike what it's done in the past for other competitive equity plans. It may pass a vote of the membership because OSSAA officials have told the membership that 'it's the best we can do'. Many OSSAA member schools know better, however, so we'll see how it goes.
As an example of a classification system that has gone awry is the case of the Victory Christian (VC) High School volleyball team. In 2017, enrollment classification would have placed the team in class 3A, but was inadvertently advanced to class 5A (should have been advanced to class 4A as per Rule 14) - where it won the 5A championship. The convoluted nature of the Rule 14 advancement requirements was the reason for the OSSAA 'mistake'. As a matter of fact, we are not even sure of the above stated fact due to the 'super convoluted' nature of the rule. After winning the 5A championship in 2017, VC won the class 4A championship in 2018 - where it belonged according to the OSSAA 'enrollment based' system. Since VC won the 4A title in 2018, the OSSAA advanced it to class 5A for the 2019 season, where it won the 5A championship the last week of October. No one, including OSSAA officials, can truly say what class VC should compete, but after it won the 5A state title two weeks ago - the team broke out into a chant "We want 6A! We want 6A!". The OSSAA executive director assured the class 6A coaches at the Westmoore meeting that a team may only be advanced one class upward, and since VC had already 'advanced' to class 5A - it would not be going to class 6A next year (where it would also dominate).
The new and improved version of Rule 14 will affect volleyball by advancing the top four finishers in class 5A, to class 6A.. if all criteria are met for advancement. The new rule prohibits a team from advancing to 6A if it has already advanced to 5A previously. This would prevent VC from advancing to class 6A, since it had already advanced to 5A from 4A. So class 6A volleyball teams may be worried about something that won't happen. It appears Tulsa Bishop Kelly may be the only class 5A volleyball team to qualify for advancement to class 6A. If that is so, the smallest class 6A team, Yukon, would regress to class 5A, taking the place of Kelly. A class 4A team, Lincoln Christian, would likely be the only 4A team to advance to 5A. If this scenario happened, the smallest class 4A team would drop down to class 3A. The advancement of Lincoln Christian to class 5A would likely knock Bethany out of an earned play-off spot in 2019, resulting in the only class with all eight playoff teams being 'private'. Of course, this scenario is only conjecture, as Rule 14 becomes more convoluted with each revision.
The OSSAA will undoubtedly vote to send this revision out to a vote of the membership, unlike what it's done in the past for other competitive equity plans. It may pass a vote of the membership because OSSAA officials have told the membership that 'it's the best we can do'. Many OSSAA member schools know better, however, so we'll see how it goes.
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Complicity by Silence: The Epic Racket
Most people believe that to remain silent on any illegal or unethical practice, especially when incontrovertible evidence indicates illegal or unethical behavior, is to be complicit. The practice of remaining silent when one knows that possible illegal and certainly unethical behavior is going on - is complicity by silence.
When people know the difference between right and wrong, ethical and unethical, and even legal and illegal - but sit idly by or say nothing when they see unethical or illegal actions - inaction or silence can mean complicity. Many public school teachers, officials, and supporters have not sat idly by or remained silent while Epic Virtual and Blended school owners have become millionaires at Oklahoma tax payer expense. These teachers and education supporters have openly voiced their opposition to the Epic racketeering going on in our state, and have stood up to the unethical and illegal activities. They (teachers and public school supporters) can do very little about the problem, but still call it out for what it is.
While teachers and other public school employees usually aren't listened to when they object to illegal or unethical behavior by Epic Virtual or Blended Public School owners, there are a few entities such as law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys who are listened to. When the questioned behavior is unethical, but not illegal, it often falls upon our state lawmakers and other elected public officials (Senators and Representatives) to voice concern and ask the hard questions.
Senator Ron Sharp (R) of Shawnee is one such lawmaker who is not afraid to stand up for the public interest and demand answers from Epic. He continues to demand answers from Epic, and even from his fellow lawmakers - many of whom have chosen to remain silent, concerning the alleged misappropriation of tax payer funds. According to Senator Sharp, about $11.2 million in tax payer dollars has flown out the door - going to the owners of Epic, instead of to Oklahoma students. Since Oklahoma senators and representatives are in charge of overseeing how tax dollars are spent and not squandered, it stands to reason that lawmakers would be upset at how this waste of money has been allowed to go on. Senator Sharp has faced the wrath of Epic, however, as it has hired private investigators to "dig up dirt", threatened his job by encouraging Senate leadership to "fire" him, and threatened lawsuits for "slandering" Epic owners. Senator Sharp is alone in asking the tough questions and demanding answers in behalf of Oklahoma tax payers, because many other lawmakers are evidently complicit with Epic in their silence.
This "complicity by silence" is not a fact, however, until those lawmakers have been given the opportunity to voice their opinion. Senator Ron Sharp does not represent my home district, so it may only be fair to give my senator and representative a chance to speak their opinions and protect Oklahoma tax dollars which should be going to Oklahoma students. Senator Paul Scott (R) of Duncan and Representative Cindy Roe (R) of Lindsay are my local lawmakers. Since Epic opened a school in Blanchard several weeks ago, I think it only fair to give both lawmakers a chance to comment. I plan on asking these tough questions of both Roe and Scott at a legislative meeting for educators on November 21 in Wayne, Oklahoma. It will be interesting to hear their answers to some very political questions. I'll publish the responses in this post after November 21.
When people know the difference between right and wrong, ethical and unethical, and even legal and illegal - but sit idly by or say nothing when they see unethical or illegal actions - inaction or silence can mean complicity. Many public school teachers, officials, and supporters have not sat idly by or remained silent while Epic Virtual and Blended school owners have become millionaires at Oklahoma tax payer expense. These teachers and education supporters have openly voiced their opposition to the Epic racketeering going on in our state, and have stood up to the unethical and illegal activities. They (teachers and public school supporters) can do very little about the problem, but still call it out for what it is.
While teachers and other public school employees usually aren't listened to when they object to illegal or unethical behavior by Epic Virtual or Blended Public School owners, there are a few entities such as law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys who are listened to. When the questioned behavior is unethical, but not illegal, it often falls upon our state lawmakers and other elected public officials (Senators and Representatives) to voice concern and ask the hard questions.
Senator Ron Sharp (R) of Shawnee is one such lawmaker who is not afraid to stand up for the public interest and demand answers from Epic. He continues to demand answers from Epic, and even from his fellow lawmakers - many of whom have chosen to remain silent, concerning the alleged misappropriation of tax payer funds. According to Senator Sharp, about $11.2 million in tax payer dollars has flown out the door - going to the owners of Epic, instead of to Oklahoma students. Since Oklahoma senators and representatives are in charge of overseeing how tax dollars are spent and not squandered, it stands to reason that lawmakers would be upset at how this waste of money has been allowed to go on. Senator Sharp has faced the wrath of Epic, however, as it has hired private investigators to "dig up dirt", threatened his job by encouraging Senate leadership to "fire" him, and threatened lawsuits for "slandering" Epic owners. Senator Sharp is alone in asking the tough questions and demanding answers in behalf of Oklahoma tax payers, because many other lawmakers are evidently complicit with Epic in their silence.
This "complicity by silence" is not a fact, however, until those lawmakers have been given the opportunity to voice their opinion. Senator Ron Sharp does not represent my home district, so it may only be fair to give my senator and representative a chance to speak their opinions and protect Oklahoma tax dollars which should be going to Oklahoma students. Senator Paul Scott (R) of Duncan and Representative Cindy Roe (R) of Lindsay are my local lawmakers. Since Epic opened a school in Blanchard several weeks ago, I think it only fair to give both lawmakers a chance to comment. I plan on asking these tough questions of both Roe and Scott at a legislative meeting for educators on November 21 in Wayne, Oklahoma. It will be interesting to hear their answers to some very political questions. I'll publish the responses in this post after November 21.
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