Press release
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Lundy Kiger (R-Poteau) today announced he has received approval for interim studies on virtual charter schools.
Interim Study 19-091, authored by Kiger, will look into the oversight responsibilities for charter school sponsors. The study will look into the entity in charge of oversight and the due diligence that gets done to ensure the school fulfills its requirements to the state and its students. Rep. Randy Randleman (R-Eufaula) also signed on as a co-author of this study.
“With all the recent news about EPIC Virtual Charter School and the allegations against it, it is important to realize what caused this incident and what we can do in the future to prevent it,” Kiger said.
In addition, Interim Study 19-089, by Kiger, has been combined with Interim Study 19-064, by Rep. Zack Taylor (R-Seminole), to look closer at how these charter schools are funded and the real cost of educating individuals using these institutions to ensure tax payers’ dollars are optimally used. Randleman also is a co-author of this study.
As vice chair of the House Rules Committee, Kiger served under the leadership of Taylor, the committee chair. Kiger said he looks forward to working closely together again with Taylor to provide much needed insight into this topic.
Kiger said he long has been concerned over the operations of virtual charter schools – from the large amount of unaccounted for equipment, to the high amounts of midyear adjustments, and to the bonuses teachers and students receive for their recruitment efforts. Once elected, this led him to join with other elected officials to ask for a closer look during the legislative session interim at charter schools and how they operate within our state.
“I feel strongly about the big lack of oversight for these institutions, which resulted in the alleged mismanagement of funds and tax revenue that should have been used to properly educate Oklahoma’s youth,” Kiger said.
“I also feel strongly that virtual charter schools have a role in the learning process for many children in the state of Oklahoma,” Kiger said, “Yet, I don’t approve of them receiving the same amount of funding per student as traditional brick-and-mortar schools that provide transportation and sometimes meals for their students as well as bearing the burden of building and maintenance expenses.”
Sen. Ron Sharp (R-Shawnee) also is holding an interim study on virtual charter schools. Kiger said he plans to attend that study as well to gain further insight into the matter.
Get Local News!
