April 5, 2019 Issue, Page 2 of 14

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Page2 The Elk City News - Elk City, Oklahoma. Frday, April 5, 2019 in atelephone interview that notingshe teaches students. debate now is we surehave to we're pretty far behind just Post Wa out the Legislature wantstodo from dated English textbooks have some operational dollars more funding for education, and that she hopes lawmakers to go through that formula.” as far as our buildings and mentioning a House bill on a “do the right thing” and fund He pointed to some legisla- maintenance and upkeep and $1,200 raise was passed. He education and restore funding Continued. ported the teacher walkout. mentioned that the state’s that she said former Gov. tion that includes some in- things that we need to get Lawmakers passed a $6,000 percentage of spending on Mary Fallin cut. creased pay for teacher pay, but there’s some legislation done,” he said. “It just takes school sites as well. So we raise for teachers. education for local districts “That would be a good faith went before the school board “The raises were impor- = 50 to 53 percent —is higher start,” she said. that centers on operational alot of dollars to maintain and gave a proclamation that tant, and that was a part of the than the national average of But she said after 25 years, dollars. those buildings. When you get as a staff, this is what we wish [walkout] and everybody’s 47 percent. she’s tired of “having to fight Elk City Public Schools we to do. Our school board glad that that happened,” Progress has been made on for every crumb that we get. have been fortunate in that back into actual dollars in the was behind us 100 percent, Ediger said. “But there were the funding front, he said, as It’s not right. How do they there’s been increase in classroom, there are dollars and [superintendent] Mr. still key things that needed to there have been no imminent think these kids are going enrollment in the last couple [Rick] Garrison was as well. be addressed that had to be walkouts this year compared to be educated?” She fears of years, which in turns helps floating around there that So we opted to do the work addressed. The main [issue] to last. aGOP agenda set on killing the district in the funding may not be in pencils, papers stoppage.” being, per pupil spending or “It’s certainly a much bet- public education and embrac- formula and provides more and supplies, but they’re go- He said polls indicated that funding for classrooms. We're ter better climate this year,” ing charter schools, which she dollars. 65 percent of people sup- still trying to get them to ad- he said. opposes. “The thing with usis, ing toward the school itself.” dress that.” Ediger is in his 26" year of The walkout occurred In the trenches teaching, and he said teach- because teachers in the state Hooper said educators ers’ organization is more said “enough’s enough” meet with Garrison every politically active and more regarding teacher pay, as it engaged now than ever. New month, and she said he appeared lawmakers failed juggles money so that he can “ think that’s one of the to hear teachers’ concerns, try to meet teacher needs in best things that came out Ediger said. Teachers went the classrooms. of this is it’s opened alot of to legislators’ doors and sat in “But it’s not enough,” she people’s eyes up to how the director on sessions, Ediger said. said. process works and what to do “J think overall, looking She pointed out, for and to be paying attention,” back, it impacted the policy, example, the carpet in her he said. April 5 I think impacted the public, classroom. Ediger said he has never and I think we're seeing this “T've got duct tape on it,” not had more than one job in Arimathea celebrates year there’s a lot of pro-edu- she said. “No telling how old his 26 years of teaching, as 105th birthday at 1:30 p.m. cation bills,” Ediger said. “It’s itis. I'd like to have some new he held down other jobs to Continued. me like a second fiddle. We at the Lincoln Teen Center. kind of turning things around, carpet in the room so that we supplement his teaching job. feel like we're a team and Guests will be members of I think. Everybody’s still re- don’t trip on it.” “Most teachers I know have years as band director ally cautiously optimistic. I other jobs,” he said, adding we work together well with Cultus. She said she is not criticiz- before coming here. think what it did was wake a ing administration, as Gar- that could be a side job or a DeWitt played trombone these kids. April 6 bunch of people up that edu- rison is “probably a wizard summer job. “Maybe now, growing up, and his band “Those kids see me every cators aren’t going to rest on with money,” but there are with the raise, that’s helped.” director in Blackwell-Tim day, and we've kind of de- 35th Annual Southwest their laurels anymore. We're supplies that teachers need. But the state has lost teach- Brandt - had a significant veloped a good rapport and Farm & Home Expo & Bull done accepting the song and “Y'm tired of buying pencils ers because of the pay scale influence on his life. Brandt Sale, Convention Center. dance we've been getting.” for my class,” she said. “I'm good respect.” He said the and the state breaks a record is retired from teaching, but director job won't feel a lot Elk City Public Schools Su- tired of buying pencil sharp- each year, at least in the last DeWitt stays in contact with perintendent Rick Garrison eners every time it goes out. several years, in granting him. different from his current April 7 said the walkout did not put Kids who don’t have supplies, emergency certifications for role, although his respon- “He and his wife were 35th Annual Southwest apositive light on the leader- T'll buy their supplies if they people to teach in classrooms. just like my parents,” he sibilities will change. But Farm & Home Expo & Bull ship of people in the Legisla- don’t have them.” “I know this last year there said, “His influence was the teaching aspect of the Sale, Convention Center. ture, explaining teachers and She appreciates the com- were over 2,000 emergency phenomenal. In his career, educators were frustrated munity’s help for schools, as certified people in the class- we counted 24 professional job will be familiar. DeWitt and did not think they were there were two churches this rooms,” he said. “I’m not musicians [he taught when hopes to continue the suc- April 8 being heard or considered. year that sent a goody bag full knocking people who are they were students] and he cess of the band program. Merritt Labor Auction - “I think coming out of that, of supplies. emergency certified, but at taught 34 years. “Ido want to thank Randy Merritt School Cafeteria. this legislative season, more “Elk City is fabulous at the same time, that’s 2,000 “Fee really nurtured the for his contributions to the than anything, there’s more trying to meet the needs of people in our Oklahoma class- profession in a way that’s community,” DeWitt said. an attuned ear to educators the teacher, but the things rooms who were not educated just been unparalleled.” April 12 and our needs and what’s that are really expensive, as public school teachers.” DeWitt loved the music Brooks has been director st Responders Coffee at going on with our kids and like textbooks for the whole Instead, he said, those classes and professors at since 1993, and DeWitt The Curb, 8 am. Elk City the challenges we're facing,” classroom or new library people were trained or edu- SWOSU, and he built close said he wishes the best for Baptist Village. Garrison said. “We're dig- books or a computer program cated to do something else. relationships to the profes- Brooks and that he will ging ourselves out of about or technology that we could People have to be emergency- sors he had there. always be a “treasured a 15-year hole as far as that use for the whole grade level, certified because of a lack of “Tt was a pretty easy deci- April16 attitude of we're not going we just don’t have the money people to fill slots. sion; it really was,” he said, member of this program.” to help public ed. So I think for all of that,” said Hooper, reflecting on his choice of “Took forward to serving Oklahoma Blood Insti- that ship has turned. I think amember of Professional “I think the walkout really helped to stabilize the ship career to be music. “I just this community, this school tute Blood Drive, First Baptist Church Activities that was an incredible thing Oklahoma Educators, which and maybe start to stir it in felt at home every time I was district and the students, that our teachers did last is a teachers association, not the right direction; I think there in the music depart- and I will do it with all the Center. year. They turned that ship, aunion. it’s probably headed that ment.” and we're starting the other ‘And the state won't provide way,” he said, adding, though, DeWitt found Elk City to passion and professionalism April18 direction of maybe changing that money for these areas, “we've got a lot of work to be agood fit for him and he that I can find,” DeWitt said. the attitude of public schools she said, and lawmakers say do.” said he has enjoyed working Garrison said he likes how Old Fashioned Gospel and what our demands and that superintendents have with Brooks during his time DeWitt’s approach was that Singing Event, 6:30 p.m., challenges are.” the money to meet those The fight now here and is excited about the the band program is very Elk City Baptist Village. He hopes to see a produc- expenses but won't spend that Garrison said he thinks the opportunity to be director. good, but DeWitt still wants tive Legislative session this money. She said she would big fight now is over class- He said his and Brooks’ April 20 year. The state has cut more invite legislators to spend a room funding. styles are “very complemen- it to be better than where it’s money per pupil than any day with teachers to see what “Most of the money that tary” and that he’s learned been. Annual Easter Egg other state in the nation over they're dealing with. came through the formula - much from watching Brooks. “We feel very fortunate to the last 10 years, Garrison and every school looks a little “For me to come in, it will have aman of that charac- April 24 said. ‘Teacher hopes different in that formula - or be the smoothest transition ter and he’s been loyal to “When you do that, it just Hooper has been teaching all of that money went toward for our students and this the district and loyal to he Chamber of Commerce takes a little while to dig your- 25years. satisfying about a $1.2 million program because I know Lunch and Learn 12 p.m-1 self out of that,” he said. “Tove to teach, I’m proud in salary increases for our the system,” DeWitt said. program and wants it to be p.m, RSVP- Elk City West- State Rep. Todd Russ said to be a teacher,” she said, district,” he said. “So, the “And Randy has not treated successful,” Garrison said. ern Technology Center. April 26 Gregory Popovich Pet Theatre, Pioneer Center SwoOSUpalooza this weekend April 27th By Don Munsch Student Government Associa- tonight. 3-4 p.m.: Jared Deck students and area residents. GPRMC Child Birth Editor tion has partnered with the On Saturday, visitors can (Donovan, a Maine native, The Saturday events at Class, in the hospital SWOSU Panorama Series to enjoy more music, food and is based in Nashville, accord- Crowder Lake are for the cafeteria meeting room A ‘Music, food, games and bring in bigger names,” said games from 10a.m. until ing to his website.) whole family. There will be from 9 am. - 12 p.m. more music are on tap at this Brian Adler, vice presi- 5 p.m. at Crowder Lake Food trucks at the event something for everyone.” year’s SWOSUpalooza today dent of public relations and University Park. Live music, are The Redbird Coffee Cart, While SWOSUpalooza is “Oklahoma MX Race” - and Saturday at Southwestern marketing and chair of the food trucks, games and more Dubtown Dawgs, Smokin’ W becoming a larger annual Elk City Motorcross Oklahoma State University. Panorama Series at SWOSU, are planned at Crowder Haystack, dough MG and Mr. event, SWOSU’s Panorama Parker McCollum and the in an emailed response to Lake, located 7 miles south Yeti’s Snowballs. Visitors can Series also sponsors the “big- April 28th Read Southall Band are the questions. of Weatherford, the release partake in volleyball, kayaks, ger” concerts/events of the “Oklahoma MX Race” - featured artists at this year’s ‘The SWOSU Panorama stated. Saturday's activities horseshoes, tetherball, ropes year on the SWOSU campus, Elk City Motorcross event today, to be held in Series and SWOSU Student are free, Adler said. course, climbing walls, slack Adler said. Comedian Billy the Pioneer Cellular Event Government Association ‘The SGA and Crowder lines and lawn games. Gardell ofthe “Mike & Molly” Center on the Weatherford sponsor the Friday night Lake staff planned the free Shuttles will leave the Pio- show and comedian Gabriel April 29 campus, according to anews concert. Hunter Thomas will day of activities. Featured neer Cellular Event Center “Fluffy” Iglesias have visited release. Visitors can enjoy a open for the two headlin- music acts, all of whom are south parking lot every 30 Merritt All Sports Ban- full day of free activities on ers. Advance tickets are $15 from Oklahoma except for minutes starting at 9:45 a.m. the campus in previous falls. quet - Convention Center. Coming up this fall, Oct. 25, Saturday as part of SWOSU- and are on sale in the Pub- Donovan, are: to take people to Crowder palooza and Crowder Lake lic Relations & Marketing 11-12 noon: Scott Hand Lake for those that do not the Panorama Series will May3 University Park Opening Office (HAB 205) or online Noon-1: Bulldog Blitz Tal- have transportation. sponsor a visit by comedian Play Day - Elk City Mo- Day. at https://share.swosu.edu/ ent Show winners Han Yu “These two days will be a Ken Jeong as part of SWOSU tor Speedway. “SWOSUpalooza has been SWOSUpalooza. Shih and Yesterdayz Pantz lot of fun for Western Okla- Homecoming weekend. Jeong going on for 15 or so years but There will be concessions 1-2 p.m.: Grant Scowden homans,” Adler said. “Friday has starred in television and Block Party Elk City - ithas become bigger the past and the food truck Burlap 2-3p.m.: Headliner Keelan night’s concert will be a good movies, including “The Hang- Downtown Elk City. couple ofyears because the Napkin will be available Donovan one and it’s more for college over” series on the big screen. he ) FREE HEARING SCREENING (iq HEARING AID CENTERS 2900 W 3rd St. ¢ Elk City, OK 73644 AND CONSULTATION is %, (580) 302- 6130 www.heargearok.com Your time is now, call today! ab; “waa0°