March 2013: Legislative Update

Pat McGregor
Executive Director, OkACTE

OkACTE Members:

Deadline Week ends on March 14!

The first major deadline of the Legislative Session came and passed on March 14 as both the House and the Senate moved over 400 bills to the opposite chamber of this, the 54^th Oklahoma Legislature.  Our tracking list should be updated now to only include ACTIVE bills that made their way through the exhaustive committee and floor processes of the two chambers.  So far, things have not gone too badly for Education.  There have been comments in both chambers to support an increase in funding for education this session after several years of flat funding and some decreases in overall dollars to support public education in Oklahoma’s K-12 system, CareerTech, and of course, Higher Education.  A number of bills were passed to attempt: taking care of the unfunded mandates for education that were passed by previous legislatures, restoring the National Certified Teacher stipend, studying the flawed A to F laws, changing EOI testing, increasing opportunities for CareerTech students in Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship program, and many other issues surrounding public education that are still alive and moved to the opposite chambers for consideration.

CareerTech Funding

Almost daily, we are working with the appropriation chairs, appropriation subcommittee chairs in both chambers and the leadership to “plow the ground” for finally increasing the State’s support for Career and Technical Education.  There is still much work to do here.  We feel strongly that the House leadership is going to do their best to increase funding for CTE this year.  Our challenge is in the Senate and particularly the Appropriation Committee Chairman.  We have met with small groups of Senators in informal settings and there is some support from these groups to meet the needs of CTE as has been presented by the Department of CareerTech and many of our other advocates at the Capitol.  We are asking for a 19 million dollar increase in the base funding to CTE.  We also are challenged by the apparent lack of support coming from the Governor’s office as she proposed a 0% increase in funding for Career and Technical Education in the budget she presented to the legislature in January.  A lot of this comes from her desire to increase funding for mental health and a few other agencies as well as her efforts to influence the legislature into decreasing or eliminating the states personal income tax.  She has recently softened her stance on funding for education and is now mentioning in many of her speeches that it is time to increase dollars appropriated to common education.

In order to accomplish our goals of increasing dollars for common education and CareerTech we will be announcing some important advocacy efforts over the next few weeks to help turn around the support we need from key policy-makers in this area.  We will need our members to make calls and send e-mails asking for support of CTE over the next few weeks.  Please keep an eye on your e-mail boxes over the next two months as quick responses to alerts will be very important.

School Safety Issues

All of us who work to keep our schools safe and secure are watching very closely the activity at the capitol around this issue and of course changes in Gun laws.  Lt. Governor Lamb’s commission on School Safety and Security has completed its mission and some of those findings will be incorporated in legislation that is poised to move through the process.  We will support these bills.  However, some overzealous legislators have moved a couple of bills through the process that we feel are not good solutions to the recent shootings that have occurred in schools around the country.  One of these, HB 1062 allows School Districts to adopt policies of arming teachers and administrators.  Even though there are some teachers who would like to be able to carry weapons in schools, the complexities of developing policies and practices that would protect the innocent in our schools is enormous.  These bills will also, in my opinion cause the gun lobby to begin putting pressure on school board members to adopt these policies.  This bill also forces the school district to pay for the training of these armed officials without any financial support to the districts.  This bill has passed the House of Representatives and is on its way to the Senate.  Look for the Senate to hold this up and probably try to move forward more of the language that was designed and recommended by Sen. Lamb’s task force. The bills introduced with the recommendations of the Lt. Governor’s Commission are; SB’s 256, 257, 258, and 259.  You can find the text on these bills and HB 1062 on our website at:  www.okacte.org.

State Revenue and Income Tax

The discussion of elimination of the income tax and whether or not these proposals by the Governor and legislative leaders are revenue neutral are beginning to appear on the policy makers’ radar.  Senate Republicans are offering a plan that lowers the top rate on personal income tax from 5.25% to 4.75% and eliminate some expensive tax credits and exemptions at the same time.  This results in net revenue losses to the State’s coffers at somewhere around 108 million dollars but that would not hit for a while.  The House Republican’s and the Governor are supporting a plan which would lower the top rate by a quarter of a percent with no revenue offsets.  This plan would cost the state about 120 million dollars per tax year.  Obviously, in a year in which the legislators have about 215 million extra dollars in available revenue for appropriations, these decisions could affect available dollars needed to increase funding for Common Ed and CareerTech.  The Senate bill will go after personal exemptions that effect middle income earners especially those with dependents.  So, as you might guess, these plans could move toward a compromise bill or be shelved altogether as they were last year.  I am working with a group called TogetherOk whose mission is to provide Oklahomans the real truth about these tax and revenue measures.  More information about this group can be found at their website:  www.TogetherOk.org .

Happy Spring!!  Patrick McGregor, Executive Director, OkACTE

A Changing of the Guard: CTE Leadership

In Oklahoma and the nation the face of CTE and the leadership therein is undergoing major changes. These are not limited to but include; A new State Director of Career and Technology Education in Oklahoma, a search for and selection of a new Executive Director of our national organization the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE), newly elected members on the ACTE national board of directors, many who are from Oklahoma, and changes in the State leaders of our Oklahoma Legislature. 

Oklahoma Director of CTE

Oklahoma’s own Dr. Phil Berkenbile, recently retired from the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education after serving in several positions for the ODCTE, most recently State Director since 2004. Dr. Phil retires after serving as one of the most hardworking and consistent leaders Oklahoma’s nationally recognized system has enjoyed in recent history. Dr. Phil now has plans to run for the Board of Education for Morrison Public Schools, his home district and spend his time working for the community and running his farming operation in central Oklahoma. Phil will be missed by all of us and we wish him well and congratulate him on his service to CTE in Oklahoma that expanded over forty years. His support of OkACTE as a member and an advisor to our organization has certainly helped us grow into the largest state CTE organization in the U.S.

Replacing Dr. Phil will be Dr. Robert Sommers from Ohio. Many of us have known Dr. Sommers through his background as a former Agriculture Instructor in Ohio and as a former Superintendent of Butler Tech in Hamilton, Ohio. Bob has visited Oklahoma several times over the past few years and has been active in ACTE serving on several important task forces over the years. He also has experience in State politics in Ohio and in addition, worked for the State Department of Education in Ohio for many years. These experiences will serve him well in Oklahoma as CareerTech here is definitely a player in Economic and Workforce Development and is supported by many of our policy makers and industry leaders. We look forward to working with Dr. Sommers and wish him well in continuing to develop what we consider one of the most important and effective CTE delivery systems in the U.S.

Dr. Robert Sommers

ACTE Executive Director Search

We understand that in a couple of months the ACTE Board will be selecting someone to fill the shoes of retiring Executive Director Jan Bray. Jan has been very supportive of our Oklahoma ACTE and we publicly want to thank her for the many years of service she has given to the promotion of CTE throughout this country and of course Oklahoma. She will be missed. A replacement for Jan must continue the positive relations ACTE has on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and at the same time operate a national association with a membership of over 25, 000 members. We personally feel that the person selected for this position should not only have CTE experience but also be someone who has either managed a state or national association preferably connected with education groups or causes. We trust that our national ACTE Board will keep this in mind as they move forward with this important selection.

Newly Elected ACTE Board Members

The end of 2012 and the start of 2013 has been chocked full of exciting announcements and elections involving our Oklahoma ACTE members. Most of these events have been around news of the election of many to the; ACTE Board, Region IV of ACTE, or being elected to lead their respective professional groups.

Here are some of these appointments and election results:

• Dr. Doug Major, Meridian Tech-President-Elect of ACTE
• Sherry Adrian, Francis Tuttle Tech-Recently elected VP of New and Related Services for ACTE.
• Lorrie  Carlile, Morrison HS-Region IV VP for ACTE
• Gina Riggs, Kiamichi Tech-Health Division VP for ACTE
• Jeff Johnson, Francis Tuttle Tech-VP for Trade and Industrial Division for ACTE
• Claire Zevnik Cline, ODCTE-VP of New and Related Services
• Jeanette Capshaw, Moore-Norman Tech-VP Administration for ACTE
• Andrea Pogue, ODCTE- VP of PACE for ACTE
• Cheryl Harder, OkACTE-President-Elect of the Oklahoma Society of Association Executives.
• Kevin Stacey, South Coffeyville HS-President- Elect of the National Association of Agriculture Education Teachers
• Jim Comer, Francis Tuttle Tech-Past President of ACTE
• Diana Plummer, Central Tech- Named ACTE Outstanding Educator at Vision 2012 in Atlanta

All of these OkACTE members have volunteered to help all of their fellow CTE professional to promote the rewarding world of Career and Technology Education across America.

Coming Soon! – Oklahoma Legislative Update!

Patrick McGregor, OkACTE

Exercise Your Patriotic Right and Vote!

Starting this Friday, November 2 in almost all counties in Oklahoma, voters can vote “absentee” at their respective county election board offices from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. On November the 3rd citizens can vote early from 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the same County Election Board sites. Monday the 5th also allows for early absentee voting in the same locations and times as the previous Friday. Voters merely have to sign an affidavit declaring that they cannot vote on Tuesday the 6th for whatever reason, and the hassle of the often long wait on Election Day is avoided. My wife and I usually vote on Saturday morning in our county seat. It makes for a fun day and we enjoy exercising our patriotic right as American citizens. We both work so this avoids lines and leaving work early Tuesday in order to get our ballots cast. Large turnouts are expected nationwide for this year’s Presidential Election.

This year, Oklahoma voters will find a two sided ballot. The front side lists Presidential, Congressional, State legislative and county offices, along with the usual list of Supreme Court, criminal appeals and civil appeals court Judges to be retained in office. On the back side, are six state questions; 758, 759, 762, 764, 765, and 766. These questions all pertain to amending the state constitution. Two of the state questions, 758 and 766, have to do with lowering Ad Valorem property taxes for some, and increasing these taxes for others. As my good friend David Blatt, Director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute recently wrote, “In short, tax cuts that few will benefit from could lead to higher property tax bills for many others, while tightening the revenue squeeze on schools and other financially strapped local services. That’s far from a no‐lose proposition.” Since SQ 758 reduces the cap on the maximum annual tax valuation increases for homestead properties and agricultural land from 5% to 3%, it basically will only benefit those property owners in high growth or affluent neighborhoods. Meanwhile, everyone could end up paying higher millage rates to cover local bond issues payments and/or judgments against these taxing districts. These are the same growth areas whose schools are growing, roads are more heavily traveled, there is a greater need for healthcare, libraries, public safety, et al. You get the picture I think! This one creates neighbors with houses virtually the same age, size, neighborhoods etc., but they might be paying vastly different taxes depending on when they bought their individual homes and how much they paid.

SQ 766 is a real “boondoggle”! The real winners if this question passes will be centrally assessed large corporations who won’t have to pay taxes on their “intangible” property. These companies have been paying taxes on this property and passage of this proposal would give a large $60 to $100 million tax break for railroads, airlines, and communications (AT&T and Cox) and other public utilities (ONG, OG&E and PSO). This is not only a corporate gift, but is bad public tax policy! It gives to the rich and takes it away from common schools, community colleges, CareerTech Centers, and County government.

To summarize; I have studied these six state questions by talking with colleagues in politics and public policy experts like David Blatt and others. It is very simple. Vote NO on all state questions, except SQ 762 which removes the Governor from the parole process on certain nonviolent offenders. SQ 762 simplifies the process and saves money. Enough said!

Thanks for VOTING!

Patrick McGregor 

CTE: Serving the Community

To me, one of the most telling attributes of successful people is their involvement in community service and their overall desires to help the greater good. I am always amazed at the exciting activities our CTE programs are involved in throughout the state of Oklahoma on behalf of their student organizations like FFA, FCCLA, Skills USA, HOSA, BPA, TSA and the like. In addition, each year our association, OkACTE, recognizes Outstanding Teachers in Community Service as a part of our Awards programs. The depth and breadth of the benefits of these activities to Oklahoma communities, their schools and of course their students are off the charts.

I was reminded of the inspiring examples of CTE professionals and students in our CTE programs throughout the state just recently as I witnessed the kickoff of several fall campaigns for “The United Way”, MDA and many other events raising awareness to the public, the importance of helping those less fortunate among us.

The end of the hot, dry summer in Oklahoma also led to some horrible fires in parts of central and northeastern areas of our state. As a result in towns like Stillwater, Noble, Drumright, and Mannford, many of our CTE members and friends lost homes, barns, livestock and countless personal items. I witnessed an overwhelming quick response from our CTE family to help each other in this natural disaster. The outpouring of support was tremendous, with many members and friends donating items, food, clothing and making thousands of dollars in donations to the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other non-profits. The spirit of Oklahoma people to help each other is something to behold.

Another example of the caring spirit of the Oklahoma CTE family was shown by an honor received by one of our outstanding FFA students at Checotah HS in eastern Oklahoma. Jason McPeak, Agricultural Education instructor at Checotah HS let us know that Ridge Howell, one of his student leaders, was recently named a “White House Champion of Change”. Ridge was recognized for his work in the National FFA program “Native Voices” which led to him being selected as a “Food for All’ grant recipient. This is the WHITE HOUSE we’re talking about! What a great honor for Mr. McPeak and his students at Checotah.

Our own Cheryl Harder who is the Assistant Director for OkACTE, is also a great example of making life a little better for all of us by her recent work with MDA in Oklahoma City. Below is her explanation of what this meant to her:

Community Service is something we all know that we should do, but many of us never take the time or find just the right venue. We many times find ourselves in the work to home to work rut.

Last week, I received a call from the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I was asked to participate in their lock-up @ Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant in Bricktown OKC. All I had to do was ask some people to donate to MDA. It would be easy, would take little time, and it would mean so much to those in need. How could I refuse?

MDA has always been a favorite part of my Labor Day weekends for most of my life. I don’t think I ever missed watching a Telethon for Jerry’s kids. Since that no longer exists as I knew it, perhaps this was a way for me to do my part now.

With the help of my CareerTech, OSAE, and HOA families, I raised enough money to send a child with MD to summer camp and then some. I met people from other walks of life here in OKC, met a few people who have benefited by the research and things MDA has to offer and I feel like I have made a difference. It has been a positive experience and I look forward to helping again in the future!

In Rick Warren’s great book, “The Purpose Driven Life”, he asked the question, What on Earth Am I Here For? I think it is to help each other. He writes it is NOT about you! I find true inspiration in the examples demonstrated each day by our staff, students, and generous friends of CareerTech in Oklahoma. Do something kind for someone today. In doing so, you will have done something for yourself. 

Patrick McGregor, Executive Director, Oklahoma ACTE

The Beginning: Oklahoma Technology Centers - A History You May Not Know

Below is a brief paper written by Suzette and Tom about the early history of the CareerTech system in Oklahoma as witnessed and researched by these two great Oklahoma CareerTech veterans.

Suzette Northcutt Rhodes is a current and founding board member of Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City, and the 2012-2013 President of the Oklahoma Association of Technology Centers(OATC), a sister organization of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education(OkACTE).

Dr. Tom Friedemann is the current Superintendent of Francis Tuttle Technology Center and a past Associate State Director of the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech Education.  He also serves currently as the Financial Officer of the CareerTech Administrative Council the corporate umbrella organization of OkACTE.

This article was presented as a part of their outstanding presentation at the annual Oklahoma State School Boards Convention recently held in Oklahoma City.

An excerpt from Governor Bartlett's State of the State Address to the Legislature on January 2, 1968: 

VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL EDUCATION

I propose that you change the composition of the membership of the State Board for Vocational Education. This board would be composed of educators designated by law and businessmen and industrialists appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate. The purpose of the new board would be to direct the training of persons interested in vocational-technical study towards the needs of industry. The composition of this Board would add tremendously to the industrial development of the State of Oklahoma. A full explanation of the purposes and needs of this Board is contained in the LTV (LincTempcoVaught) report, copies of which have been furnished to each of you, and its functions would be patterned after the system inaugurated in South Carolina with which many of you are already familiar.

Prior to 1968, the members of the State Board of Education were designated as the State Board for Vocational Education, as well. All functions of vocational education in Oklahoma were governed ultimately by this board and the State Department of Education. The Department of Vocational Education was merely one of the many divisions in this large state department. Prior to 1963, there wasn't much money coming to the Department of Vocational Education so there weren't any real issues to be decided. J.B. Perky was such a strong personality that he maintained control of vocational education, but a change in the State Superintendent of Public Instruction or the State Director of Vocational Education could have changed the status and disrupted the truce between the different philosophies.

Governor Bartlett's recommendation to create an autonomous State Board of Vocational and Technical Education separated the governance of vocational education from the State Department of Education. This placed the decision-making about vocational education with board members committed to vocational education being advised by vocational educators and administrators. Vocational issues could not be diluted and confused with the issues of common education.

As with all legislative issues, the make-up of the new State Board of Vocational and Technical Education ended up being a compromise. It began with an eleven-member board mostly appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. 

The final make-up of the State Board of Vocational and Technical Education consisted of the six members of the State Board of Education already appointed by the Governor, the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction designated as President of the Board and an additional six members appointed by the Governor it was not the board Governor Bartlett imagined.

Again, the most important thing the formation of new board did was allow vocational and technical education to have a department separate and apart from the State Department of Education. Few states have this separate structure for vocational education. Most states have vocational education in a mid-level role under either common education or higher education.

Dr. Tuttle provided the energy and the vision behind the creation of the area school concept and the change in the governance structure of vocational education in Oklahoma occurred on his watch.

NOTE: The State Board of and Technology Education that Governor Bartlett had imagined was in fact created in 2003 when the Legislature took Governor Bartlett's State of the State message to heart and changed the makeup of the Board.

The results of the 1969 Bond Issue championed by Governor Dewey Bartlett

State Question 462 passed on August 27, 1968

The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is hereby authorized to enact necessary legislation whereby the State may become indebted in an amount not to exceed Ninety-nine Million, Eight Hundred Eight Thousand Dollars ($99,808,000.00) for the purpose of planning and constructing new buildings or additions to existing state buildings and other capital improvements for remodeling, modernizing and repairing any and all existing buildings and capital improvements and purchase of land, equipment and furnishings necessary for such new construction or remodeling for the following departments and agencies of state government in the amounts and for the purposes set forth as follows:

10. To the State Department of Vocational Education for construction and equipping of area vocational and technical schools and technical institutes and equipment. $5,750,000.00

Presenters: Dr. Tom Friedemann, Superintendent , Francis Tuttle Technology CenterSuzette Northcutt Rhodes, President, Francis Tuttle Board of Education

      The Beginning: Oklahoma Technology Centers History You May Not Know                  OSSBA/CAREER TECH FORUM - August 24, 2012

“We should never forget the sacrifices made by our past leaders as they laid the foundation for our world-renowned Oklahoma CareerTech system.”-   Patrick McGregor