Investigative Journalism
Oklahoma State Department of Education Seeks Grant Applicants for Ineffective Program
July 5, 2017 - 12:35pm CDT
A federal education program costing taxpayers more than $1 billion a year has produced no demonstrable benefit, according to multiple U.S. Department of Education reports. In some cases, the program has led to a measurable decline in student behavior ratings. Despite these findings, the Oklahoma St... READ MORE
OU Regents Raise Tuition, Increase Salaries After Boren’s ‘Dead Last’ Claim
June 26, 2017 - 3:13pm CDT
In rapid-fire succession last week, University of Oklahoma officials lamented poor state funding for higher education, raised tuition for all students, and increased the pay for some faculty members by as much as 59 percent. “We face a very, very difficult situation,” OU President David Boren s... READ MORE
Districts Happy with Four-Day Week, School Officials Say
June 22, 2017 - 1:04pm CDT
By Jay Chilton, CIJ Nearly 100 Oklahoma public school districts use a cumulative-hours-based schedule, allowing them to employ a four-day instructional week. The districts do this primarily to save money. But some are realizing benefits which they say are even more exciting than cost reduction.... READ MORE
In Many Districts Moving to Four-Day Week, Superintendent Pay Has Increased
June 15, 2017 - 9:38am CDT
By Jay Chilton, CIJ To reduce spending, nearly 100 Oklahoma school districts have adopted four-day-a-week schedules. Nearly 50 more districts are considering the change for the next school year, according to a survey conducted by the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration and th... READ MORE
Stroud Public Schools Not Waiting for Legislature to Raise Teacher Pay
May 15, 2017 - 8:43am CDT
By Jay Chilton, CIJ Teacher pay raises have been a hotly debated issue for several years at the Oklahoma state Capitol, with multiple legislators proposing various methods for funding the increase. Currently, House Bill 1114, a phased-in teacher pay raise bill by Rep. Michael Rogers, R-Broken Arrow... READ MORE
Okmulgee Public School Teachers Drop OEA, Elect New Representative
May 8, 2017 - 3:09pm CDT
By Jay Chilton, CIJ On May 2 the certified teachers of Okmulgee Public Schools elected Professional Okmulgee Educators to serve as their new bargaining representative over the local affiliate of the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA). The vote was 52 to 32. “We won the election to decertify ... READ MORE
CEO Identified in Hofmeister Complaint Was PAC Contributor
May 1, 2017 - 6:12pm CDT
By Jay Chilton, CIJ Bill Cameron is the CEO of the American Fidelity Corporation and its subsidiary, American Fidelity Assurance. The company was identified, but not charged, in the criminal case against state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. Hofmeister and four other individuals face felony charges... READ MORE
Individual Donors to Hofmeister’s 2018 Campaign Decline to Fund Legal Defense
May 1, 2017 - 3:18pm CDT
By Jay Chilton, CIJ State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister has been charged with five felony counts of conspiracy, collusion, and related campaign crimes allegedly committed during her 2014 run for office. In response to the expected cost associated with her defense, Hofmeister ... READ MORE
Hofmeister Legal Defense Fund Files First Report with Ethics Commission
May 1, 2017 - 10:03am CDT
May 1, 2017 By Jay Chilton, CIJ The special function committee formed to accept donations for the purpose of paying for the legal defense of state Superintendent Joy Hofmeister has filed its first report to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. Hofmeister has been charged with five felony counts o... READ MORE
Linked to Hofmeister Fraud Charges, American Fidelity Continues Political Action
April 28, 2017 - 1:16pm CDT
By Jay Chilton, CIJ Among the political candidate, campaign consultants, and political groups mentioned in the prosecutor's affidavit against Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister and four others, one name stands out. American Fidelity is an Oklahoma City-based insurance company t... READ MORE
