Articles
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Education
Medical officials favor school reopening
Roughly one-quarter of the way through the school year, the debate over in-person instruction continues with some districts continuing to severely curtail classroom lessons while other districts remain fully online due to alleged concerns about COVID-19.Ray Carter | October 13, 2020
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Education
Epic ordered to repay $11 million
Members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education have ordered Epic Charter Schools, a virtual K-12 provider, to repay $11.2 million to the state.Ray Carter | October 12, 2020
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Education
Epic parents vote with their feet, shrug off controversy
As Epic Charter Schools continues to battle perceptions created by a critical financial audit, it seems that parents are equally eager to vote with their feet by enrolling their children in Epic.Mike Brake | October 9, 2020
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Law & Principles
State retains environmental oversight—for now
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has approved Gov. Kevin Stitt’s request for the state of Oklahoma to retain regulatory oversight of lands now considered part of Indian reservations when those properties are not owned by a tribal government.Ray Carter | October 8, 2020
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Education
Audit dings Department of Education’s school-finance oversight
Ray Carter | October 7, 2020
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Education
Did state audit recommend illegal action?
A recently released special investigative audit of EPIC Charter Schools, an online K-12 provider, says the school failed to make appropriate payments into the Teachers Retirement System of Oklahoma for some employees. But documents provided by EPIC in response indicate the actions recommended in the audit violate state law and regulations.Ray Carter | October 7, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Economy
Continued oil slump threatens state finances
A new report from State Treasurer Randy McDaniel indicates the economic impacts of the COVID-19 shutdown are receding in Oklahoma, but state finances remain on shaky ground because of the continuing weakness of the oil-and-gas sector, a foundational element of the Oklahoma economy.Ray Carter | October 7, 2020
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Education
Expert offers solutions to anti-American education
Across the country, parents have become alarmed by the increasing anti-Americanism of course materials taught in their children’s local schools.Ray Carter | October 6, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Irregularities in state audit of EPIC?
A recently released special investigative audit of EPIC Charter Schools, an online K-12 provider, may be receiving as much attention for perceived and alleged irregularities in the audit process as for its findings.Ray Carter | October 5, 2020
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Law & Principles
McGirt complications: Judge considers recusal
The ripple effects continued to be felt this week as a McGirt-based criminal appeal highlighted another challenge: The judges who have to resolve such legal disputes often have ties—and even receive benefits from—tribal governments, creating conflict-of-interest appearances.Ray Carter | October 2, 2020