Statement from Cliff Hudson, Chairman, Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education Statement from Cliff Hudson, Chairman, Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education
From Staff Reports
Published: January 5, 2008
We are disheartened that Superintendent Porter continues to avoid talking to the Board. We have tried numerous times to meet and talk with him about these matters. We would have preferred to meet with him face-to-face for a candid and constructive discussion as opposed to communicating in an indirect manner through the media.
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This is a matter of accountability and responsibility, and making sure we do things the right way. The Board is charged with making sure the District conducts its business in a proper and lawful manner.
In spite of efforts by the Superintendent to stop Monday's Board meeting, we believe it is in the best interest of the process to refrain from discussing details of the investigative report until we have finally spoken to the Superintendent.
Additionally, in response to Superintendent Porter's statement in his letter to the community that I asked him to resign two months ago, the fact is that I suggested he consider resignation following a survey of principals that included harsh criticism of his conduct.
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Mr. Hudson needs to step down, he has been in the district for years and yet very little improvements has occurred pertaining to academic success in OKCPS. How can a man be on the job less than 6 mos. and be asked to step down for the minor matters set fourth so for? You want to know what is a crime? It is bad academic progress in the district, poor act/sat scores, poor state reports, kids going to college not prepared in core courses but yet graduating with high marks or worst graduateing just to get them out of the system. This is, in my opinion child abuse and those responsible in the district should be charged. I believe that Mr.Porter will make a difference and the undercover racism from the powers to be must stop, especially Mr. Hudson.
It looks like to me Cliff wanted the job for himself or a buddy but had to hire this guy and now he is fishing for reasons to get rid of him. What a waste of tsxpayer money to do a nation wide search and then ask him to resign in October and then try to suspend or fire him in January. This just does not pass the old smell test.
I was a teacher in the OKC public schools, years ago. I wonder about the harsh criticism from principals. Did he upset their routine with some harsh criticism of them? What kind of business would take a survey of employees, and then fire the new supervisor without any investigation?
Both of my parents were teachers in the OKC public school system for 30 years. Its was a great school system with great teachers and schools. Its sad to see what is going on, Nation wide searchs and fire him after 6 months, its going to get harder and harder to find a good person to take the job.
I've been in education for 31 years. I have NOT taught in the OKC system and do not know many teachers that do. I do however have many occasions to attend activities and athletic contests in which the OKC schools attend and compete. It is abundantly clear that most of the high schools (not all) are not on equal footing with the suburban schools. Looking at graduation and drop-out rates as well as ACT and SAT scores show that they are struggling academically as well. I don't have a dog in this hunt and I couldn't begin to say which side is correct in this latest flap. I will say though that by-and-large, the OKC school system is broken! I really have no idea about the personalities involved and don't care but SOMEBODY better get this system moving in the right direction and they better do it quickly. Thousands of kids lives depend on this system working while Porter and Hudson are writing letters to the newspaper like two little girls having a fight over who's "Barbie" is prettier and wanting us to choose sides! Maybe we ARE seeing exactly what the problem is.
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