Planning for the future; Working for today.
Meg’s Priorities for OKCPS
All OKCPS students, regardless of their ZIP code or background, should receive a world-class education that prepares them for their next steps after graduation. In addition to being a launching-pad for their future, OKCPS should also be preparing our students to be active citizens & engaged community members. This means equipping our students with skills that go beyond a single subject or emphasis. Critical thinking, creativity and problem solving continue to be important inside and outside of the classroom.
By continuing the work to focus on three key areas—equity, transparency & culture— we can ensure that all OKCPS students, staff, teachers & the communities surrounding our schools can begin to tackle big problems while at the same time remain as flexible as possible in our evolving climate.
Equity
Equity is more than a buzzword; it’s a promise to our current & future students that our policies, funding and other practices do not act as barriers to their success. Continuing the work of reviewing policies, practices, funding and more through lens of equity and adjusting as needed will continue to bring a focus on making sure our students, staff and school sites who need more can get what they need to succeed.
Meg has served on the Student Experience and Equity Committee under the leadership of Board member Veales since it’s inception.
Transparency
Our schools are so much more than places of education; they’re community hubs, safe places, homes-away-from-homes that are cornerstones of our neighborhoods. Decisions that will impact our neighborhood schools impact our communities.
Transparency is critical in rebuilding trust in many communities that in the past hadn’t been included or were even excluded in the decision making process. For OKCPS to rise to it’s full potential as a district, we must work with with all of us together at the table. This means, at the board level, ensuring that diversity is required, neighborhoods, families, and students are engaged and decisions should be made with both our past and our future in mind.
Culture
Having a safe, inviting place to attend school and work at impacts every single student, teacher and staff member within our district. From student discipline, facilities, athletics, extracurriculars to recruiting and developing teachers, principals and other staff across the district, a great culture is critical to success.
In order to do this, we’ll have to work to ensure policies and practices reflect our culture and pride in our district, our communities and diversity. This starts by embracing our strengths as a district while addressing our weaknesses.