28 March 2022
Commentary
The Collegian: 5
Vouchers bill defeat a win for education
Funding unaccountable private institutions would be detrimental to Oklahoma public schools. Justin Klopfer Editor-in-Chief Last Wednesday, March 23, the Oklahoma Senate failed to pass Senate Bill 1647, titled the “Oklahoma Empowerment Act.” The bill would have given qualifying Oklahoma students the ability to opt out of public school enrollment and instead receive funds to spend on education-related expenses. The amount of money would depend on many factors, though a fiscal impact report projected a cost of between $3,5712.12 to $5,276.00 per student per year. While the bill never uses the term “voucher,” the program uses state funds for students to utilize at private education institutions — the essence of a vouchers program. The bill was narrowly rejected — 24 no votes and 22 yes votes. Three more yes votes would have passed the bill, and two of these could have easily come from absent senator Nathan Dahm, a supporter of the bill, and Senator Jake Merrick, who voted against the bill after supporting it in committee.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt voiced his support for the bill, and lamented its failure to pass. He highlighted Oklahoma’s status as “49th in the nation in education,” as if bills targeting public education like SB1647 weren’t a prime cause of this sorry state. Stitt said that the state must “fund students over systems”; the “systems” he wishes to defund are the essential public schools. Voucher programs have been implemented in several states and have had varying outcomes. A study of Florida’s voucher program has shown modest improvements in test scores and attendance, but newer studies of voucher programs in Louisiana, Ohio and the District of Columbia showed significant decreases in student performance, especially in mathematics. If the millions of dollars required for these vouchers would produce little result, why not just invest the funds directly into the existing public school system? The ongoing teacher shortage — which forced Oklahoma to give emergency certification to thousands of teachers — is a clear symptom of an underfunded system. Senator Greg Treat, the original author of the bill, claimed that the $128 million the bill was estimated to cost would not come from existing state aid. Regardless of the accuracy of this claim, that money would still be in far better hands if it were allocated directly to Oklahoma public schools. If Oklahoma is ready to make such a significant investment in education, why direct it almost exclusively to private schools? The state of Oklahoma has no business funding private education institutions subject to far less oversight than public schools. Bills like SB1647 that dismantle public education are usually justified by an appeal to “choice.” SB1647 itself states that “parents and legal guardians are best suited to make decisions” regarding their children’s education. However, what difference does choice make when all the schools are under-
Rejecting the proposition required several Republicans to vote against the bill.
funded and inadequate? Oklahoma is currently ranked 46th for education spending; children receive a subpar education whether they choose a public, charter or private school.
7:15 am University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers were dispatched to a fire alarm at the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Officers searched the building and did not find smoke or fire and determined the issue was from the building’s HVAC system. The Tulsa Fire Department was canceled, and a work order was placed. Copy of report forwarded to Housing, Physical Plant and Student Affairs for their review. 6:25 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security Communications Center received a call from a known subject from previous reports regarding phone threats. The call was recorded. 7:45 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers investigated a report of a stolen catalytic converter from a TU affiliate’s vehicle in the Mayo Village Lot. Officers took pictures of the scene and gathered a statement. Officers advised the affiliate to report the crime to the Tulsa Police Department. Copy of report forwarded to Physical Plant and Student Affairs for their review. March 13 4:00 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security received a call regarding a missing duty phone from a Resident Assistant at Fisher Hall South. Officers were unable to identify a suspect. The incident is under investigation. Copy of report forwarded to Physical Plant, Human Resources and Student Affairs for their review. March 15 4:50 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Se-
curity officers responded to investigate a report of suspicious activity at the University Square South Apartments. Officers discovered the source of the suspicious activity was a student. Officers advised the student to cease the activity. Copy of report forwarded to Housing and Student Affairs for their review. March 19 2:05 pm While on routine patrol, Campus Safety and Security officers discovered property damage at the Reynolds Center. Officers made contact with a TU affiliate who was cleaning broken glass. The individual informed officers they made contact with a glass door while transporting personal property. A work order was filed with the Physical Plant. Copy of report forwarded to Physical Plant, Human Resources and Athletics for their review. 2:15 pm While on routine patrol, Campus Safety and Security officers noticed an unidentified person pushing a shopping cart and stopping vehicles on the north side of the Collins Fitness Center. Officers made contact with the individual. The individual gave limited personal information and became uncooperative. The individual left northbound on S. Delaware Ave. A contact card was created. March 20 1:10 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers dispatched on report of a suspicious person carrying a shovel at Phillips Hall Lot. Officers determined the individual was not affiliated with the University of Tulsa. The individual refused to identify themselves and they were trespass warned before they left campus property. A contact card was created. Copy of report forwarded to Housing and Student Affairs for their review. 4:40 pm While responding to an apartment unlock in Norman Village apartments, Campus Safety and Security officers determined a fire had taken place in the apartment prior to arrival. The Communications Center contacted Tulsa Fire Department who determined there was no longer a fire threat. The reporting party sustained an injury and refused
privatization. The opposition to the bill, in contrast, comes from actual educators. A poll by Oklahoma Professional Educators, a group of educators in Oklahoma, found 83% of members oppose the bill.
“While the bill’s defeat is a victory for students, public education in Oklahoma is still in a desperate state.” The support for “school choice” legislation is often driven not by educators but interest groups with large pools of cash trying to influence public opinion. One of these groups, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, extensively supported and pushed SB1647. The OCPA isn’t required to disclose its funding sources, but these conservative interest groups are typically funded by those who stand to gain from further
While the bill’s defeat is a victory for students, public education in Oklahoma is still in a desperate state. Stitt himself claimed that a voucher system “is eventually going to pass” into law in an interview after the bill was shot down. Republicans’ priority of “school choice” jeopardizes the importance of public schools and too often prioritizes private profits over student outcomes.
medical attention. Copy of report forward to Housing, Physical Plant and Student Affairs for their review.
March 22 5:45 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers responded to a suspicious activity call at McFarlin Library. Officers met with library staff and took possession of suspicious items. The investigation is ongoing. Copy of report forwarded to Physical Plant, Human Resources and Student Affairs for their review.
March 21 1:00 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers were dispatched to the Allen Chapman Student Union (ACSU) for a fire alarm. The alarm was activated due to “Water flow above Post Office”. Tulsa Fire Department canceled. Panel reset and Facilities Management was notified. Copy of report forwarded to Physical Plant and Student Affairs for their review. March 12 2:10 am University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers were dispatched to University Square West Apartments to conduct a welfare check. Officers met with the subject who was preparing to leave for a mental health facility and the reporting party requested an officer stay with the subject until they left to ensure their safety. Copy of report forwarded to Housing and Student Affairs for their review.
courtesy oksenate.gov
1:30 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers met with a student regarding a stolen bicycle. The bicycle was last seen in the Lottie Jane Mabee courtyard. Copy of report forwarded to Housing, Physical Plant and Student Affairs for their review.
tucollegian@tucollegian.com editor in chief
Justin Klopfer managing editor
Adam Walsh news editor
Shelby Hiens sports editor
Callie Hummel variety editor
Julianne Tran commentary editor
Logan Guthrie satire editor
Anna Johns photo & graphics editor
Amy Polovich
business & advertising manager
Madeleine Goodman social media & web manager
Maddie Walters copy editor
Jihan Aldada
5:55 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers were dispatched to check on a suspicious person who was reported to be staggering in the street near the Mayo Village Apartments. Officers made contact with the subject who was uncooperative and refused to identify. The subject left property and was trespass warned. A contact card was created. The Collegian does not produce or edit the Campus Crime Watch except for content and brevity.
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