Sen. Hicks comments on Epic Charter school layoffs

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Carri Hicks issued the following statement Wednesday in the wake of over 350 terminations at Epic Charter Schools in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, shuttering in-person learning centers for thousands of families. Hicks, a professional educator, said the mass layoffs and closures of in-person learning centers are a painful reminder of what happens when education is treated like a business instead of a public good.

“This is exactly why we must hold all schools that receive public funding to the same high standards of transparency, accountability, and stability. When we treat education like a business, we get business outcomes: restructuring, cost-cutting, and closures. But our students are not profit margins. They deserve stability, support, and the full promise of a public education system that works for all. The harm caused by these abrupt changes is real. Our students deserve stability and accountability, no matter where they attend school.

“From the beginning, school choice advocates promised that virtual learning would be a cheaper, more efficient alternative to public education. But as Epic expanded services to resemble those offered by traditional schools – transportation, meals, full-day instruction – their financial model proved unsustainable. Families were promised innovation and flexibility, but now they’re left scrambling as essential services disappear.” – Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City.