Legislative session for Oklahoma will be getting underway Monday, and several teachers are ready to head to the Capitol to continue the fight for public education.
The Duncan Legislative Team, led by chair Derrick Miller, will will be among the group of educators visiting the Oklahoma Capitol this session.
The team, which is in its seventh year and entering its sixth session, makes frequent visits to the Capitol and has invited legislators into the school and classrooms.
Mark Monteith, who has gone to the Capitol a couple of times with the Legislative Team, said, “As they come into a new session, they have the chance to do the right thing for Oklahoma. Kids, let’s hope they do.”
This year, three of the four legislators that represent Stephens County will be new, each replacing a long-standing member, who worked closely with Duncan teachers.
Rep. Brad Boles, who was unopposed for his reelection bid for District 51, will continue in the position he was elected to in 2018.
Joining Boles in the Oklahoma House of Representatives is Stacy Jo Adams, who was elected to District 51. Addams is filling the void left by Marcus McEntire, who spent eight years in the office.
Both senators representing Stephens County will be new this year.
Senate District 43 will now be the office of Kendal Sacchieri, who defeated incumbent Jessica Garvin in the primary election. Spencer Kern will oversee District 31 as the new senator, following Chris Kidd’s choice not to run for reelection.
District boundaries are set based on population numbers.
Montieth said he goes the Capitol to try to get more support for the students at school, parents and teachers. He said one of the biggest talking points this year is going to be the education standards.
He said he isn’t sure what to expect with the new legislators, but he hopes they will work well with teachers.
“Hopefully we can get it together, and we can help people,” Monteith said.
Cathy Barker and Sonia Norton were instrumental in getting the Legislative Team created. The team was the first of its kind in Oklahoma. Both continue to be involved in the team and go to the Capitol multiple times each session.
Barker said she goes to the Capitol to do what’s best for education.
She said one of her main concerns is student absenteeism. She said this needs to be fixed for teachers because it sets teachers up to fail every year. She said she hopes the new legislators work toward passing laws to address attendance issues and for teachers to get raises.
Barker said one of the talking points this year is going to be about putting a Bible in each classroom. She said she thinks schools across the country will end up putting a Bible in each class.
For Norton, one of the biggest talking points will likely be about cell phones in schools. This has already been a topic of debate from the last couple of sessions.
She said she is looking forward to going to the Capitol and getting to know the new legislators.
