Hofmeister comments on House Common Education vote to approve HB 2904

OK State Dept of Ed sent this bulletin at 02/26/2020 08:37 AM CST

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Steffie Corcoran
Director of Communications
(405) 522-5324, c: (405) 312-9558
steffie.corcoran@sde.ok.gov

Carrie Burkhart
Assistant Director of Communications
(405) 521-3371, c: (405) 760-7881
carrie.burkhart@sde.ok.gov

Erin Corbin
Communications Specialist
(405) 521-3375
erin.corbin@sde.ok.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hofmeister comments on House Common Education vote to approve HB 2904

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 25, 2020) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister made the following remarks today regarding the House Common Education Committee’s passage of House Bill 2904. Authored by Rep. Sheila Dills, it would allow the Oklahoma State Board of Education to issue subpoenas for records, books and other materials involving schools or third-party entities in connection with an investigation or disciplinary matter.

“Transparency and accountability are vital to ensure the appropriate and wise use of taxpayer dollars, but neither is truly possible without giving the State Board of Education the necessary tools. One need look no further than controversies and newspaper headlines in recent years to see that full transparency is lacking. Without the same subpoena power afforded to more than 40 other state agencies, the State Board has one hand tied behind its back in its efforts to be judicious stewards of public education dollars. We are grateful to Rep. Dills and House Common Education Committee Chairwoman Rhonda Baker for their tremendous work in helping this critical bill move forward.”

HB 2904 passed 13-2 and will next go before the full state House of Representatives.

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