Sand Springs Rotary Club hosts local nonprofit organization showcase

The Sand Springs Rotary Club and the Sand Springs United Methodist Church hosted a nonprofit showcase this past Thursday and dozens of local organizations participated. The free public event included free food and door prizes to help bring public awareness and attention to the organizations and the opportunities for community involvement. 

2 Angel Toy Run is an annual event hosted by Church That Matters in South Sand Springs with the purpose of providing toys for children at Christmas time, as well as scholarships for Charles Page High School students. The Toy Run is held each November. The annual event is named for Hannah Christian and Cassidy Rotramel, two Charles Page High School students who were killed in a motor vehicle accident in 2010. For more information, visit www.2angelstoyrun.com

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce is an organization of local businesses, organizations, and individuals working together to bring growth and economic development to Sand Springs. Members meet the first Monday of each month at noon in an open forum at the Tulsa Technology Center. For more information, visit www.sandspringschamber.com

Church That Matters seeks "to be a church that matters to God, each other, our city, and the world." The church has Wednesday evening youth service from 7:00 to 8:30, and three Sunday morning services at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30. For more information, visit www.churchthatmatters.com

Camp Courage is an independent Christian youth camp located in Owasso and holds traditional camps during the Summer, Spring, and Fall breaks. They also offer a day camp with fishing, hiking, canoeing, paintball, swimming, archery, and more. For more information, visit www.campcourageusa.com

Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma is an outpatient community mental health clinic for adults and children. The organization believes in "treating the whole person," both mentally and physically. They offer adult and children's mental health services, substance abuse assistance, physician visits, pharmaceutical needs, housing, and more. For more information, visit www.crsok.org

Daughters of the American Revolution is a women's only group that works to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The group meets every third Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Greentree Retirement Center in Sand Springs. Membership requires that a person be directly descended from a person involved in the United States' struggle for independence, and is only for adults aged 18+. For more information, visit www.oklahomadar.org

Day Spring Villa Women & Children's Shelter provides physical, emotional, Christ-like care to enable women and their children to live God-honoring lives. The shelter accepts any and all victims of domestic violence, human sex trafficking, and more. For more information, visit www.dayspringvilla.com

Hillspring Church is located in South Sand Springs and offers numerous small groups including Kids Outdoor Zone and Zumba. They are also hosting a motorcycle Toy Run on December 3rd at 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.hillspring.tv

Junior Achievement of Oklahoma serves K-12th grade students by introducing financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship into the classroom by empowering the students through exciting, hands-on learning experiences. For more information, visit www.jaok.org

Mobile Missions Network is a local organization seeking to meet the needs of mobile home communities in Northeast Oklahoma. Volunteers meet Sunday evenings at the River Oaks, Shannon Valley, and Valley Brook Mobile Communities from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. MMN hosts special events in these communities, including sports camps, bible clubs, and Halloween parties. They also help provide Christmas gifts and help families with light remodeling projects in the area. For more information, visit www.mobilemissionsnetwork.com

Oasis Adult Day Services provides affordable daytime care in a home-like environment for cognitively or physically impaired adults. Oasis has locations at 5525 East 51st Street, Tulsa, and 410 East Lee Street, Sapulpa. For more information, visit www.oasisads.org

Osage Forest of Peace bills itself as an "interspiritual Contemplative Retreat Center." The grounds are open to guests seven days a week with meditation times at 7:00 a.m. and noon daily, plus a 4:45 time on Tuesdays through Saturday. The Forest hosts various retreats and programs, with overnight cabins, meals, yoga classes, hiking, as well as a Zen Garden and labyrinth. For more information, visit www.forestofpeace.org. 

Rotary Club of Sand Springs is the local chapter of a worldwide organization promoting service over self. Rotary believes that service is the basis for success and happiness in business and community life. The local chapter meets ever Friday at 12:00 noon at Broadway Baptist Church. Some of the annual activities sponsored by Rotary include Downhill Derby, the Nonprofit Showcase, a February Chili Cook-off, and a June Bass fishing tournament. For more information, visit www.sandspringsrotary.com

Saint Francis Community Services works toward the recruitment, certification, and retention of quality foster homes in Oklahoma. The organization is not associated with Tulsa hospital, and is corporately located in Kansas. For more information, contact jason.cloud@st-francis.org

Sand Springs Area Support Group for the Visually Limited meets on the third Monday of each month at the Lucile Page Manor Community Room in Sand Springs. The organization helps the visually impaired, and their caregivers, to access resources and creative solutions to overcoming the disability. 

Sand Springs Community Services, Inc. assists Sand Springs area residents experiencing economic crisis in moving forward towards self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.sscsok.org

Sand Springs Community Thanksgiving Dinner is sponsored by the Sand Springs United Methodist Church, and works to prepare and deliver Thanksgiving meals to Sand Springs and West Tulsa residents. Volunteers meet the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as Thanksgiving day at the UMC Family Life Center. For more information, contact mcreeves@cox.net

Sand Springs Community Theater is dedicated to the exploration and celebration of the performing arts. The company performs three to four shows per year, hosts fundraisers and school workshops, and provides one scholarship each year for a Charles Page High School senior. For more information, visit www.pageplayers.com

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum is dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, interpretation and exhibition of information and materials related to the history and culture of the Sand Springs community and surrounding area. The museum holds an annual Night at the Museum event the week of Halloween, as well as a Christmas display. The Art of Giving Holiday Open House will be Saturday, December 18th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 and will feature the Sand Springs Community Band, Sand Springs Service Clubs, and the Festival of Trees in the museum. For more information, contact SSmuseumSS2@gmail.com.

The Sand Springs Education Foundation is a private partner organization of the Sand Springs Public School district and helps provide creative and innovative materials that cannot be funded through local, state, or federal means. For more information, visit www.sandspringseducationfoundation.com

Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc is a fundraising organization for quality of life projects for Sand Springs Parks. For more information, visit www.sandspringsok.org

The Sand Springs Sertoma Club seeks to meet the needs of those impacted by hearing loss and meets each Tuesday at noon at the Sand Springs IHOP. The Sertoma Club sponsors the annual Sand Springs Fireworks show, as well as an annual Murder Mystery dinner. For more information, visit www.sertoma.org

The Sand Springs Symphony League works each year to bring symphony music performances to Sand Springs elementary school students. For more information, contact sandspringssymphonyleague@gmail.com

The Sand Springs Women's Chamber is organized for the purpose of advancing literacy through charitable, civic and literacy programs in Sand Springs. Members meet the second Wednesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Case Community Center, September through May of each year. For more information, contact dmyers@mysersmm.com

Sandite Team Animal Rescue (S.T.A.R.) is dedicated to the rescue and care of abused, neglected, and homeless pets. Volunteers work to find homes and foster homes for animals in the Sand Springs pound. They provide veterinary care, spay-neuter services, transportation, and foster care for hundreds of cats and dogs.  For more information, visit www.STARescue.com

Springs, Inc. provides assistance in daily living for people with intellectual disabilities. The organization is committed to the principle of normalization. For more information, visit www.springsinc.org

Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Sand Springs is the local chapter of an international organization rooted in Christianity. The ministry seeks to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. For more information, visit www.salarmytulsa.org

The Tulsa Boys' Home has served nearly 12,000 children in 98 years

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Rotary Club and the Sand Springs United Methodist Church hosted a nonprofit showcase this past Thursday and twenty-nine local organizations participated. The free public event included free food and door prizes to help bring public awareness and attention to the organizations and the opportunities for community involvement. One of those organizations is the Tulsa Boys' Home.

The Tulsa Boys’ Home was first established in 1918 as an orphanage, and since then has cared for nearly 12,000 children and young people. The residential treatment facility currently is home to 64 boys, ages 11 through 18, who struggle with serious emotional, behavioral, and drug problems.

The majority of the boys in the home are placed by the Department of Human Services, though roughly a third are placed by parents and legal guardians. The average length of stay is ten months, but the facility staff work hard to help the boys transition well upon aging out.

The philosophy of the home is “the belief that most of the emotional and behavioral problems (of the boys) are caused by painful past events or a lack of a safe, structured, supportive, and nurturing environment, with consistency, clear limits, and boundaries.”

The program focuses on addressing the individual, the group, and the family, while including life skills training, character education, and employment opportunities. The home has 24-hour supervision with licensed psychologists and psychiatrists on staff.

“Essentially, Tulsa Boys’ Home is about healing broken hearts and broken homes, giving young boys a sense of hope for a positive future that they perhaps never thought possible.”

The facility boasts a swimming pool, recreation hall, gymnasium, tennis court, weight room, baseball field, football/soccer field, ceramics shop, fishing ponds, running track, hiking fields, and other activities. It also is home to a therapeutic equine program that brings retired race horses and quarter horses to the facility for the boys’ attention and care, aiding in the healing process.

The Home offers hour-long “Hope Tours” to those interested in finding out more about the facility and operation. The Home welcomes volunteers, donations, and admission applications.

www.tulsaboyshome.org

Sand Springs Pilot Club, serving the community since 1954

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Rotary Club and the Sand Springs United Methodist Church hosted a nonprofit showcase this past Thursday and twenty-nine local organizations participated. The free public event included free food and door prizes to help bring public awareness and attention to the organizations and the opportunities for community involvement. One of those organizations is the Sand Springs Pilot Club.

Pilot International was founded by Elizabeth Leonard in Macon, Georgia in 1921, and has since grown to include more than 7,500 members in nearly 400 clubs across the globe. One of those clubs is located right here in Sand Springs.

The Sand Springs Pilot Club was first chartered in 1954 and currently meets twice monthly for lunch and to learn about the needs of the community and make plans for meeting those needs.

The club is heavily involved in Sand Springs Public Schools as well as meeting other local needs. Members holds a weekly reading program at Garfield Elementary School, help fund school projects, and give scholarships annually to Charles Page High School students. They also sponsor one girl per year to attend The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State—a nonpartisan program that teaches young women about responsible citizenship and love for God and Country.

Another way the club contributes to the community is with Brain Minders. Pilot Club volunteers visit local elementary schools and daycare centers to teach children about the importance of using proper safety equipment when riding bikes, skateboards, etc.

The club also makes donations to Sand Springs Community Services, Senior Celebration, Sertoma Fireworks Event, Special Olympics, and more.

The local chapter meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at noon at Crescent Café. For more information, visit www.pilotclubcares.org.

OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda

2017 Regional Legislative Agenda

State Priorities

EDUCATED AND HEALTHY WORKFORCE

• Address the Teacher Shortage
  • Improve the ability of Oklahoma’s Pre-K-12 public schools to attract and retain effective career teachers through policies designed to increase the state’s pool of qualified teachers and improve teachers’ job satisfaction. This should include ensuring competitive teacher pay; incentivizing education for aspiring teachers; eliminating barriers for alternative certification, special education and returning retired teachers; ensuring low student-teacher ratios; and supporting professional development. Oklahoma’s ability to fill its growing teacher shortage with quality, effective teachers is crucial to the college and career success of its students and the sustainability of its workforce.
• Behavioral Health Services
  • Expand behavioral health and substance abuse services that improve workforce efficiency, boost public safety, create efficiencies in state spending and help additional Oklahomans suffering from behavioral health issues. This should include increasing funding for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; expanding mental health and drug courts to decrease unnecessary incarcerations; preparing judicial districts to enact the Labor Commissioner Mark Costello Act, with adequate funding for new assisted outpatient treatment; and expanding the use of assisted outpatient treatment by broadening the definition of who can petition courts to seek an order for outpatient treatment.
• Expand Insure Oklahoma
  • Expand Insure Oklahoma and pass the Medicaid Rebalancing Act to reduce the number of uninsured Oklahomans by accepting federal funds. This will improve the health of Oklahoma’s workforce, strengthen behavioral health services and create sustainable jobs in rural and urban areas — all of which are paramount to an economically viable Oklahoma.
• Healthcare Workforce Expansion
  • Address current and future healthcare workforce needs in urban and rural Oklahoma through the following means: 1) Use all available state and federal resources to support and expand Teaching Health Center related programs, including by expanding the Oklahoma Hospital Residency Training Act to include community-based training; 2) Support the Physician Manpower Training Commission, which is uniquely situated to serve as a valuable resource on provider workforce issues; 3) Support reforms that will allow Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants with appropriate levels of training and experience to practice to the full extent of their license without the physical presence of a supervising physician; and 4) Support efforts to expand the availability, funding and utilization of telehealth services in a manner that enhances locally-provided healthcare services.
• Oppose School Vouchers
  • Oppose school vouchers and any programs directing public funds to private schools, including Education Savings Accounts and private school tax credits. Taxpayer money should instead be spent on improving public schools, where those funds can be used more effectively to improve academic outcomes for more students and maintain the strength of local school districts. 
• Restore Education Funding
  • Safeguard current funding for Oklahoma’s education institutions and resolve to restore funding levels to their pre-Recession highs relative to enrollment. Long-term trends of reduced funding for Pre-K-12, higher education and CareerTech have curtailed the ability of Oklahoma’s education systems to produce an educated workforce, making the state less competitive for new and expanding businesses and damaging its reputation around the world as a quality place to live, work and build a business. Oklahoma must make up ground to ensure an economically vibrant state.

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE CRITICAL TO BUSINESS

• Defend Existing Road Funding and Dedicate Motor Vehicle Fees
  • Defend all existing road funding; prevent any diversion of monies; and support increased funding for transportation by developing an adequate, comprehensive funding strategy and financing plan to broaden the sources of funds and increase the total amount going to transportation statewide to support the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Eight Year Plan, the County Improvement for Roads and Bridges Five Year Plan, the municipal Street and Alley Fund and the construction and operation of Oklahoma’s planned weigh stations. Support moving the remaining 25% of motor vehicle fees, which currently go into the state general revenue fund, to transportation priority areas which may include state highways, city and county roads and bridges, and public transit. Support the following regional high-priority projects: widening of I-44 from I-244 east to the Will Rogers Turnpike; widening I-44 from the Arkansas River west to I-244 (Red Fork Expressway); expansion of U.S. 169 to six lanes north to State Highway 20; realignment of Highway 20 from U.S. 169 to Claremore; construction of a four-lane Port Road on Highway 266 from U.S. 169 to the Port of Catoosa, and from the Port of Catoosa to I-44; and expansion of US-75 to six lanes from State Highway 11 to State Highway 67.
• Gilcrease Expressway
  • Support the completion of the Gilcrease Expressway from I-44 to US-412/Edison as a part of the Oklahoma Driving Forward initiative through a funding partnership with the City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, INCOG, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and tribal governments to expedite this long overdue transportation project.

ENSURING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY

• Criminal Justice Reform
  • Support sentencing reforms and rehabilitation programs that enable nonviolent offenders to reenter the workforce faster and reduce the financial strain on Oklahoma’s criminal justice system. Overly-punitive measures for drug users and other nonviolent offenders have given Oklahoma one of the nation’s highest incarceration rates, contributing to workforce shortages, harming economic growth and overburdening taxpayers. A stronger focus on rehabilitation would reduce recidivism, lessen the burden on prisons and safety net programs and enable more ex-offenders to contribute meaningfully to Oklahoma’s economy.
• Economic Incentives
  • Support tax credits, exemptions, and incentives that provide an economic return to the state of Oklahoma, maintain our competitiveness in business attraction and retention, and increase capital investment. Several programs proposed for review in the first year of the Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission are critical to our state’s competitiveness and should be protected, including:
    • a. Five Year Ad Valorem Exemption
    • b. Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
    • c. Aerospace Engineer Tax Credit
    • d. Aerospace Engineer Tax Credit – Tuition Reimbursement and Compensation Paid
    • e. Quality Events Program
    • f. Film Enhancement Rebate
• Fund OCAST (Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology)
  • Maintain OCAST’s annual budget at its Fiscal Year 2017 level. The state has lost more than $600 million in potential public and private investment as a result of reduced funding for OCAST over the last five years. This funding assists Oklahoma in four vital areas: (1) research and development funding for businesses & universities, (2) two- and four-year college internship opportunities, (3) manufacturing support, and (4) early-stage funding for start-up businesses. This funding allows Oklahoma communities to attract and retain high-quality STEM businesses and critical college talent, which will encourage growth and expansion in these target industries.
• Improved Business Climate for Oil and Gas Production
  • Oklahoma’s combination of abundant energy resources and an entrepreneurial people has resulted in some of the lowest energy costs of any state in the nation. To preserve and maintain our position as a leading oil and gas producing state, and to protect the important economic impact of oil and gas production to all Oklahomans, we support efforts to open all geologic formations in Oklahoma to horizontal drilling. We support an Oklahoma energy policy that provides a clear regulatory environment and oppose unnecessary and burdensome regulations.
• Municipal Funding Diversification
  • Support legislation to preserve and diversify sources of revenue available to municipalities and reduce the volatility associated with a single source for revenue. Key initiatives include diversifying revenue for funding public safety agencies, streets, and other infrastructure improvements; and preserving and strengthening cities’ authority to promote economic development activities within their borders.
• Self-Determination in Facility Firearm Policies
  • While acknowledging the rights granted by the Second Amendment, protect the current law giving venue owners, event operators, and recreational facilities the authority to control firearm policies on property they manage. Removing this control would endanger Oklahoma’s ability to attract events that bring thousands of visitors and millions of dollars into our economy each year. Many events—especially in youth and collegiate sports—have non-negotiable firearm policies and removing the controls under current law would limit facility operators’ ability to ensure the safety of their events, increase the cost of providing security, and could subject them to additional liability.
• Support Regional Air Quality Efforts
  • Support and fund regional air quality efforts to avoid federal non-attainment designation and the economic hardship this would create for our region. Tulsa area ozone levels have periodically approached the current EPA standard, and an even tighter standard is anticipated. Continued support for common-sense strategies like the Ozone Advance Program and the development of a local air shed model is critical to assure the most appropriate and cost-effective reduction strategies, and all efforts toward air quality improvement initiatives—both private and public, voluntary and enforceable—should be made as soon as possible. In addition, continued support to increase public CNG fueling infrastructure will help decrease the current level of vehicle emissions, while aligning with the Oklahoma First Energy Plan.

Federal Priorities

EDUCATED AND HEALTHY WORKFORCE

• Graduate Medical Education
  • Through long-term funding authorization, fully fund existing HRSA Teaching Health Center programs at $150,000 per resident and allocate additional resources to double the number of funded THC residency positions nationwide. This will allow for training more homegrown physicians, strengthening the most effective tool for improving Oklahoma’s physician shortage.
• HEA Reauthorization
  • Support the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) and fully fund federal mandates.
• Long-term Insure Oklahoma waiver reauthorization
  • Encourage flexibility in negotiations to grant a long-term reauthorization of Oklahoma’s Section 1115 waiver for Insure Oklahoma. Uncertainty in the long-term future of Insure Oklahoma has hurt enrollment and resulted in the exclusion of thousands of Oklahomans who would be eligible for coverage even under current requirements.
• Mental Health Reform
  • Support large-scale reform of the national mental health system that elevates the national priority for mental health issues. This includes increasing funding for evidence-based strategies and services; incentivizing assisted outpatient treatment; permitting integration of mental health and substance treatment records with medical records; ensuring complete enactment of the mental health parity law in Medicaid and Medicare; and enhancing behavioral health workforce training.

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE CRITICAL TO BUSINESS

• Arkansas River Corridor Development
  • Support efforts to expedite the implementation of the Arkansas River Corridor Project for river infrastructure improvements. Allow federal match credit to be accrued for state and local expenditures in order to advance construction activity while preserving the Tulsa region’s access to future federal funding for this federally authorized project.
• McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System
  • Increase Congressional appropriations to address the approximate $180 million in maintenance backlog of MKARNS—50% of which are deemed critical—potentially leading to a shutdown of the waterway over the next 5 years, and the White River Entrance Channel Cut-off problem caused by the tendency of the White and Arkansas Rivers to merge together. Provide the necessary appropriations to deepen the MKARNS to its 12 foot authorized depth, thereby increasing barge productivity by 30%.
• Tulsa’s Levee System
  • Support addressing the critical infrastructure needs with Tulsa's aging levee system, which the Corps of Engineers has designated as one of the 5% highest-risk levee systems in the country. If one fails, it would be catastrophic for homeowners, two nationally strategic oil refineries, and multiple industries currently protected by levee system, and have devastating environmental impacts for our region.

ENSURING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY

• Accelerate Permitting of Energy Projects
  • Support efforts to accelerate federal permitting for projects necessary to achieve domestic energy independence. Legislative and Administrative efforts should focus on ensuring concurrent permitting for all federally required approvals, approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline, streamlining the process for FERC approval of Liquefied Natural Gas Terminals and interstate pipelines, and permitting of U.S. Petrochemical projects that make fertilizer, polyethylene and other natural gas derived products. These projects would create a boom in the U.S. domestic economy, support job creation, strengthen our trade balance, and increase product security and price stability on a global scale.
• Collection of Online Sales/Use Taxes
  • Support passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act or other federal legislation which will ensure that the sales and use taxes already owed from online purchases are fairly and effectively reported, collected, and remitted.
• Federal Historic Tax Credits
  • Maintain federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits for the restoration of historic buildings. These credits have for 30 years been an important catalyst for incentivizing private investment to preserve our nation’s historically-significant buildings and revitalize the historic cores of American cities. The existing 20-percent income tax credit for certified historic structures and 10 percent credit for certain non-certified historic structures should be preserved.
• Federal Immigration Reform
  • Support comprehensive immigration reform that enables the U.S. to attract the best and brightest talent from around the world. Steps should be taken to secure borders and establish reasonable, affordable and efficient visa policies that empower American businesses to hire essential workers and remove barriers for top talent to work in the U.S. Immediate steps should be taken to address workforce shortages in specialty and technology occupations, including increasing the cap on H-1B visas; and improving H-1B fairness for small and medium employers by lowering application fees and eliminating the lottery-selection process in favor of a needs-based system. Oppose further state legislation related to immigration reform.
• Position Tulsa for F-35 Operations
  • Support the Tulsa Air National Guard Base in positioning the 138th Fighter Wing for selection as an operating location for the next generation fighter aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II. With an economic impact of more than $530 million to the community, the base supports more than 1,200 citizen soldiers and plays a key role in the defense of this nation and the continued vibrancy of the Tulsa region's economy. The Tulsa basing of the F-35 could increase base employment by another five percent.
• Restraint in Labor Regulation Changes:
  • Moderate changes in labor regulations to ensure fairness for both employer and employee and minimize harmful effects on job creation. Recent rulings and interpretations by the Department of Labor and NLRB targeting overtime pay, independent contractors and joint employment status will reduce employers’ hiring capacities; disproportionally harm small businesses, the hospitality industry and the nonprofit sector; increase legal liabilities; and threaten business models that have worked for decades, such as franchising and the legitimate use of independent contractors. These changes represent drastic departures from previous norms and should reversed, pared down or implemented more gradually while protecting existing business models.
• Restrict Federal Rulemaking Authority:
  • Encourage and support members of Congress to restrict federal rulemaking authority by requiring a standardized, comprehensive, and cumulative cost/benefit analysis of the total economic impact of rules, including the effect on jobs, electricity rates and reliability, gasoline prices, energy-intensive manufacturing, small businesses, housing market, power plant closures, agriculture, and state and local governments. The regulating entity should perform the cost/benefit analysis along a standard process which should then be reviewed by at least one independent agency.
• Support Legislation Delaying the Implementation of the EPA 2015 Ozone Standard
  • The Tulsa region’s challenges to avoid the economic burden of non-attainment have resulted in substantial ground-level ozone improvement over the past 25 years. However, even though continued air improvement is foreseeable, the implementation schedule for the EPA’s 2015 ozone standard could cause non-attainment for Tulsa and many metropolitan areas across the nation. EPA regulatory implementation schedules are bound by an outdated law which no longer provides adequate time for air quality improvements to occur before overlapping regulation and nonattainment may occur. Undeniably, good air quality is fundamental to healthy communities and to economic development. However, EPA’s untimely schedule for implementing the October 2015 ozone NAAQS may cause non-attainment status and the far-reaching economic burden we have long sought to avoid.

Sand Springs heavily represented on the ballot, splits from Tulsa County on Commissioner

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

How did Sand Springs compare with Oklahoma as a whole in this election? Local voter turnout was up by 7% over the 2012 election as more than 12,000 voters showed up at the twelve Sand Springs precincts. 

Sandites were overwhelmingly Republican in the Presidential election, averaging 64% support for GOP candidates. Democratic candidates took home 28% of the vote, while Independents and Libertarians each snagged 4%.

Unsurprisingly, the black and gold went 71% to Donald Trump, who only gained 58% of the statewide ballots. This was consistent with the 2012 election when Mitt Romney garnered 70% of the local ballot, though Romney reached 67% in the rest of the State. Liberal leaning Sandites turned away from Hillary Clinton as she drew only 23% compared to 29% for Barrack Obama. Libertarian Gary Johnson earned just over 5% locally, compared to 6% across Oklahoma. Johnson has announced he will not campaign in 2020, but his performance in the polls will allow the future Libertarian candidate automatic ballot access in the next election.

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Precincts in yellow were won by Lloyd Snow, precincts in white were won by Dan Newberry.

U.S. Senator James Lankford overwhelmingly won Sand Springs with 72% of the vote. Democrat Mike Workman took 20%, Libertarian Robert Murphy took 3%, and independents Mark Beard and Sean Braddy both took 2%. The third party candidates drew local support consistent with the Statewide election, but urban centers bumped Workman's support to 29% across the State.

The most heated of the local elections was between two-term District 37 State Senator Dan Newberry and Democratic challenger, former Sand Springs Superintendent Lloyd Snow. Though Newberry won the election by more than 15%, it was far closer in Snow's hometown where he won four of ten precincts and only trailed by 2%. Snow has announced that he does not intend to run for political office again.

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Precincts in yellow were won by Jadine Nollan, precincts in white were won by Dianna Phillips. 

For District 66 State Representative, two-term Republican incumbent Jadine Nollan was aided to a landslide 67% of the vote due to her favorable view in the eyes of most Sandites. Though Democratic challenger Dianna Phillips is also from Sand Springs, she failed to win a single precinct in her hometown. Outside of Sand Springs, the two were neck-and-neck with Nollan getting a slight 4% margin of victory. Within Sand Springs Nollan won all nine precincts with 76% of the vote.

Incumbent Republican Vic Regalado easily won reelection for Tulsa County Sheriff with 66% of the vote in the State and 75% of the Sandite vote. Republican Tulsa County Court Clerk candidate Donald Newberry swept 71% of the Sand Springs vote and 63% of the County.

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Precincts in yellow were won by Josh Turley, precincts in white were won by Karen Keith.

Another local election with major Sand Springs ties was the race for Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2. Democratic incumbent Karen Keith won the County vote by 13%, but Republican challenger Josh Turley won his hometown with 56% of the Sandite vote. Turley swung eight of ten Sand Springs precincts and overwhelmingly locked up the entire West side of the county. Turley has already announced his candidacy for the 2020 election. 

Sand Springs, like the rest of the region, voted to retain all seven justices. The only Justice not to break 60% approval in Sand Springs was Supreme Court Justice Douglas Combs who came in at 58%. He was also approved by the lowest margin of the justices across the ballot. He barely won Precinct 880 with only 51% of the vote, which is located in the Keystone lake area South of the Arkansas River. No justice has ever been removed via ballot in the history of the State. 

State Question 776 was approved by 61% across the State and achieved 69% in Sand Springs.

State Question 777 was rejected by 71% of both the State and Sand Springs.

State Question 779 was rejected by 57% of the State and 61% of Sand Springs.

State Question 780 was approved by 65% of the State and 58% of Sand Springs.

State Question 781 was approved by 62% of the State and 55% of Sand Springs.

State Question 790 was rejected by 60% of the State and 59% of Sand Springs.

State Question 792 was approved by 72% of the State and 68% of Sand Springs.

Sand Springs Board of Education discusses recent State Report Cards

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Board of Education met in a regular meeting Monday evening at Charles Page High School and discussed matters of school performance. Special recognition was given to the CPHS varsity softball team, as well as Church That Matters, Inkwell Printing, and David and Jeanie Kvach. 

Head Coach Shelli Brown and the varsity softball team were presented with a Coin of Excellence.

SEE RELATED: Sydney Pennington and Jessica Collins make All-State Fast Pitch team

Members of the Sand Springs Education Association briefly addressed the crowd about the success of the recent Walk For Kids fundraiser benefiting Dayspring Villa, which raised more than $2300 dollars. They also thanked the local Wendy's for a donation of $500. 

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Jeanie and David Kvach were recognized for their recent donation to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Initiative. David Kvach is the owner of KLO, LLC, KVR Energy L.L.C., and Guardian Energy Consultants, Inc. Jeanie is the Architect and Master Planner for the Sand Springs School District and owner of Kvach & Associates. 

"Dave and I just believe in this district. We've had two kids graduate from this district. One is a doctor, graduated from Yale Medical," said Jeanie. "We specifically wanted to help improve math in the district, so when I heard about this opportunity I told Dave, 'put your money where your mouth is.'"

Pastor, entrepreneur, and Board of Ed member Rusty Gunn accepted recognitions on behalf of his church and business for their donations to the STEM initiative. Church That Matters volunteers regularly host tailgate fundraiser events prior to all Sandite Football home games. At each game they sell hot dogs, burgers, snacks, and more to raise money for the Sandite athletics programs. According to Gunn, they raised more than $12,000 this year and more than $60,000 since they began doing it a few years ago. Gunn's business, Inkwell Printing, also made a donation to the STEM initiative. 

As the Board moved on from recognitions to business, they spent a hefty amount of time discussing the recent A-F Report Cards issued by the State. 

SEE RELATED: State Releases A-F Report Cards: Sand Springs Schools average B-

Charles Page High School received a C-, but according to Superintendent Durkee, that doesn't tell the whole story. Durkee pointed to CPHS's 51.16% poverty rating as an indicator of why the school appears to perform poorly. Sandite Pride verified Durkee's claims with the State Board of Education's Low Income Report for 2015-2016 and the numbers more than check out. 6A schools with poverty rates below 50% average a score of 86.57, whereas schools over 50% averaged only 69.46. 

When judged against schools with equally economically diverse student bodies, Charles Page is actually above average. Ponca City High School, which holds a poverty percentage of 53.59 scored only a 63% compared to Sand Springs's score of 71%. Neighboring Highway 97 rival Sapulpa scored a 63% as well. 

The only school with a poverty rates over 50% to score above a C was Union with an 82%. Just below Sand Springs in poverty is Booker T. Washington, who received a 97%. According to Durkee, "it's impossible to compare apples to apples here." 

Firstly, Booker T. Washington is a four-year school, whereas Charles Page is only for tenth through twelfth grade. In overall student growth, CPHS scored a 58% in Algebra I, compared to a 92% at Booker T. The difference? Booker T.'s score was based on participation of 296 students. Sand Springs only had twelve participants. The majority of Sand Springs students take Algebra I in ninth grade, meaning the dozen participants at CPHS are students who are already struggling with the subject. Indeed, Sand Springs's Central Ninth Grade Center scored a 94% overall and a 90% in Algebra I based on 374 participating students.

Secondly, Booker T. Washington has admission standards and isn't a typical public school. Applicants to the school must score at the 35th percentile or above in both the reading and mathematics components of the State assessments. They must maintain a cumulative GPA at or above 2.50 and must maintain superb attendance with no suspensions. 

"I'm not making an excuse," said Durkee. "It's a reason that we can't ignore. It's hard to compare with a school that allows selection." 

This is the last year for the current standards of A-F report cards, and next year's scores could look very different due to new laws passed in the most recent legislative session. Next year's reports will be based on math, biology, English, reading, and U.S. history.

"Even if Charles Page gets an A+, I will have a hard time celebrating," said Durkee. "There are flaws in the system."

Durkee also discussed the Twin Cities Elementary property that was vacated by SSPS in 2003. "We may want to look seriously at tearing it down." The building is the oldest school in Sand Springs and has had little to no interest from buyers in the last several years. Though the district isn't making any definitive plans one way or another for now, they're considering razing the building and holding on to the property for potential future expansion years down the line.

State Releases A-F Report Cards: Sand Springs Schools average B-

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The State Board of Education released the 2016 A-F Report Cards for all public schools in Oklahoma Thursday, and the average Sand Springs Public School received an 80.87%, or a B-. 

"The report cards released today are likely to be the last using the A-F calculations that have been in effect since the 2012-2013 school year. Under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and a new state law, House Bill 3218, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is developing a new school accountability calculation to take effect in the 2017-2018 school year," says a press release from the Department of Education. 

“Our sights are fixed on a stronger school accountability system that will be a more meaningful and accurate measure for Oklahoma schools and districts, one that will better provide contextual information that educators, families and communities need to know about our schools, their academic performance, student growth and progress especially for high-need and at-risk student groups,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said.

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"Also at today’s meeting, the SBE approved OSDE’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget request of $2.64 billion for common education, which includes an increase of $221 million over the FY 2017 budget. The increase maintains per-student funding to reflect Oklahoma’s student population growth, adding $56.7 million to the school funding formula and restoring funding for the Instructional Materials, Support of Public School Activities and Agency Support for Schools line items," says the release.

Angus Valley Elementary received the highest grade of 97%, with Central Ninth Grade Center being the only other school to receive an A. Charles Page High School received a C-. The Early Childhood Development Center did not receive a grade. 

Grades are based on three criteria. 50% of the grading is based on Student Performance, with Overall Student Growth and Bottom Growth accounting for 25% each. Student Achievement is based on the Oklahoma School Testing Program assessments in grades three through high school. Student Growth is based on annual student learning gains as measured by Oklahoma's standardized assessments in reading and mathematics in grades three through eight, and Algebra I and English II End of Instruction Exams. 

Angus Valley Elementary

Angus Valley, located at 412 West 55th Street, on the South side of town, received a 97%. Angus serves students from Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. On Student Achievement, the students received a B in all curriculum, including Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. In overall growth they received an A in both Reading and Mathematics. The bottom quarter of students received an 86% on growth. The school maintained an attendance rate greater than 95% for an additional 10 points. The strongest subject for the school was Social Studies with 88% and the weakest subject was Science with 81%. 

Northwoods Fine Arts Academy and Garfield STEAM Academy

Northwoods, located at 1691 Old North Road, in Northeast Sand Springs, and Garfield, located at 701 North Roosevelt Avenue, just north of downtown, were graded together and received a 71%. Northwoods serves students from Kindergarten through Second Grade, and Garfield serves students from Third through Fifth Grades. This will change in the next school year as both schools separate and adopt a K-5 format. On Student Achievement, the students received a C in Reading, a D in Mathematics, and Fs in Science and Social Studies. In overall growth they received a C in Reading and a D in Mathematics. The bottom quarter of students received a 46% on growth. The schools maintained a 95% attendance rate for an additional 10 points. The strongest subject for the schools was Reading with 73% and the weakest subject was Science with 42%. 

Limestone Elementary

Limestone, located at 4201 South Walnut Creek Drive, in South Sand Springs, received an 85%. Limestone serves students from Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. On Student Achievement, the students received a B in Reading, Cs in Mathematics, and Social Studies, and a D in Science. Overall Student Growth received an A in Reading and a C in Mathematics. The bottom quarter of students received a 58% on growth. The school maintained an attendance rate greater than 95% for an additional 10 points. The strongest subject for the school was Reading with 86% and the weakest subject was Science with 63%.

Pratt Elementary

Pratt, located at 305 West 35th Street, in South Sand Springs, received an 84%. Pratt serves students from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. On Student Achievement, the students received Bs in Reading and Mathematics, a D in Social Studies, and an F in Science. Overall Student Growth received Bs in both Reading and Mathematics. The bottom quarter of students received a 55% on growth. The school maintained an attendance rate of greater than 95% for an additional 10 points. The strongest subject for the school was Reading at 84% and the weakest subject was Science with 55%.

Clyde Boyde Middle School

Clyde Boyd, located at 305 West 35th Street in South Sand Springs, received a 74%. The school serves students from Sixth through Eighth Grade. On Student Achievement, the students received Cs in Reading and Mathematics, and Fs in Science and Social Studies. Overall Student Growth received Cs in both Reading and Mathematics. The bottom quarter of students received a 50% on growth. The school received 10 bonus points for a 94% attendance rate, a sub-5% dropout rate, and an advanced coursework participation rate greater than 95%. The strongest subject for the school was a tie between Reading and Mathematics at 72%, while the weakest subject was Social Studies at 48%.

Central Ninth Grade Center

CNGC, located at 14 West 4th Street in downtown, received a 94%. On Student Achievement, the students received a B in Mathematics, and did not receive grades on the other subjects due to an insufficient number of students' scores. Overall Student Growth received an A in Mathematics, while the bottom quarter of students received an 80% on growth. The school received 10 bonus points for a 94% attendance rate, a sub-5% dropout rate, and an advanced coursework participation rate greater than 95%. 

Charles Page High School

CPHS, located at 500 North Adams Road, received a 71%. On Student Achievement, the students received a C in English, Ds in Mathematics and U.S. History, and an F in Biology I. Overall Student Growth received a B in English II and an F in Algebra I. The bottom quarter of students received a 60% on growth. The school recorded an 87% for graduation rate, a 65% on EOI performance, a 52% on College Entrance Exams, and a 64% on College Entrance Exam participation. They received 3 bonus points for advanced coursework participation and performance greater than 95% and year-to-year growth. 

Keystone Chevrolet donates $3000 to SSPS; School Board discusses changes in curriculum and high stakes testing

Board Member Pastor Rusty Gun presents Mike Frizell of Keystone Chevy with the Sandite Spirit Award. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Board of Education held their regularly monthly meeting Monday evening at the Charles Page High School Fine Arts Building and presented two awards before beginning regular business. 

Keystone Chevrolet was presented with the Sandite Spirit Award for their recent $3,000 donation to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs in Sand Springs. They had previously donated a year's worth of free oil changes to last year's Teacher of the Year. "All of us (Keystone Chevy owners) are products of public school and want to help contribute," said Managing Partner Mike Frizell. 

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Board of Ed President Mike Mullins presents CNGC teacher Andrea Brice with the Sandite Pacesetter Award. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

Central Ninth Grade teacher Andrea Brice was presented with the Sandite Pacesetter Award for her recent appointment to the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education.

The Board discussed upcoming changes to graduation requirements since the last legislative session. 

This past May the Oklahoma Legislature passed House Bill 3218, a bipartisan effort with overwhelming support in both the House and Senate. The amendatory bill abolished the previous requirements surrounding controversial "End of Instruction" (EOI) exams that had the potential to prevent a student from graduating based solely on test scores. The new laws still require assessments on English, Mathematics, and Science, but these assessments will not prevent students with satisfactory grades and attendance from graduating. 

Schools throughout the State now have the ability to establish contact with former students under the age of 22, who passed all high school requirements except EOIs, and present them with diplomas. Thanks to the due diligence of Sand Springs teachers and administrators, there is not a single former student from either Charles Page High School or Page Alternative Academy (formerly Lake Alternative Academy) who failed to graduate based solely on EOI scores.

The 51-page bill eliminated entire sections of its previous incarnation, and added more than six pages of new law. The changes passed in HB3218 and other pieces of legislature passed this past session have both the State and local Boards of Education working hard to set new standards for testing students, as well as grading school performances. 

Superintendent Sherry Durkee informed the Board that she has reached out to Oklahoma LED, a wholesale lighting Energy Savings Company regarding their Power Forward rebate program. The program offers a free analysis of all Sand Springs Public Schools properties. Ponca City schools recently made the decision to use the program and is saving around $23,000 a month according to Durkee.

The program would replace every single light bulb in the district with an LED bulb over a four-to-five year period, providing a higher quality, longer-lasting, and environmental friendly alternative to a traditional bulb. The bulbs hold a fifteen-year life expectancy with a five-year warranty. At worst, the program is expected to be cost-neutral, and at best can save thousands for the schools through longer-lasting bulbs as well up to $150,000 in rebates from the Public Service Company of Oklahoma. 

The Board approved several out of state travel expenses for students and faculty.

Daniel Schmidt and Jacob Adkinson will be attending the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October, then Schmidt will attend several Show Pigs events in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri from October through November. Andrea Brice will attend the National ACTE Convention in Las Vegas in December. Seven faculty members will be attending the National Title I Conference in Long Beach, California in February. All of these events are paid for with federal Professional Development funding specifically given to the schools for this purpose. 

The Charles Page High School wrestling team will travel to Kansas City in December for the prestigious Kansas City Stampede invitational tournament. They have been attending the event since 2013 and have had at least one champion every year. Last year they took fifteenth place out of forty teams. Both the Boys' and Girls' Basketball teams will be attending the Interstate Classic tournament in Coffeyville, Kansas in January. Last year the girls team took first place and the boys took second.

The Board authorized a resolution to call for an Annual School Election on February 14, 2017. Board President Mike Mullins will be up for reelection on that date. 

The Board invites all members of the community to participate in an online survey to help in developing a Continuous Strategic Improvement (CSI) plan. That survey is available HERE. Citizens interested in lending their voice to the initiative can also attend forums on the subject Wednesday. There will be an 8:30 a.m. forum at Garfield Elementary, a 3:30 p.m. forum at the Charles Page Fine Arts Center, and a 5:30 p.m. forum at the Clyde Boyd Middle School Library.

Tyler Morrison receives Student Spirit Award for constructing new gardens at Garfield

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Gardens constructed by Tyler Morrison at the new Garfield STEAM Academy

By: Virgil Noah, Staff Writer

The regular monthly meeting of the Sand Springs Board of Education was held Tuesday in the Charles Page High School Performing Arts Building. The meeting began with the recognition and presentation of awards to several people.

Garfield STEAM Academy lost its garden after undergoing an extensive remodel, but that problem was fixed when student Tyler Morrison volunteered to be the eagle scout for the school, put together a plan and build the gardens. "It was really busy but it was a lot of fun. I had a lot of help and I definitely couldn't have done it without help." Tyler was presented with a Student Spirit Award and a gift card to Rib Crib.

Sand Springs Education Foundation Director Sylvia Fooshee was presented with a Sandite Spirit Award for her contributions and dedication over the years to Sand Springs Schools.

Board of Education President Mike Mullins was recently recognized with the Oklahoma State School Board Association Distinguished Service Award. Mullins, who recently gave up his gavel as President of the OSSBA, received the award at the annual OSSBA/Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) conference in Oklahoma City. The award is given to only one individual a year. Mullins was also presented with the Sandite Think Right Award for his 19 years of service on the Sand Springs Board of Education. 

The Sand Springs School district set a goal of $65,000 in fundraising for the STEM initiative this year. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Electronics, and Mathematics. Several local businesses and organizations have made donations to the program. The Sand Springs Home was recognized for their $10,000 donation and LD Kerns Contractors was recognized for its work on the Garfield Renovation Project and a $500 donation to the STEM Initiative.

The Board approved out of state travel for several Sandite extra curricular events. The varsity Cross Country teams will be traveling to Fayetteville, Arkansas in October for the Chile Pepper XC Festival. The Dance team will be attending Dance Nationals in Orlando, Florida in February. The CPHS band will be headed to the Alamo Showcase of Music in San Antonio in April. Sandite Baseball will play in a Spring Break Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona in March. 

Sharon James, Matt Watkins, and Heather Miller are attending a Literacy Conference in San Diego, California later this month. Kristen Tanner received a $1,240 Scholarship from Engineering in Elementary to attend their workshop, Linking the E & M in STEM, in Boston, Massachusetts in November.

City Council approves contract for new safety facilities and other news

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening at the City Municipal Building. 

Brian Carr with the Tulsa Area United Way gave a brief presentation regarding the 2017 United Way Campaign in which the City of Sand Springs participates. 

The Council planned to present a plaque to AEP/PSO employees for their recent volunteer work in removing and replacing netting at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course. A lot of the netting was damaged in the March 2015 tornado that also devastated a pair of mobile home parks and the Jerry Adair Baseball Park. Several AEP employees volunteered their services to the extensive project over the last year. 

Blake Little, Jake Kinman, James Cooke, Ben Bryan, Chuck Bunch, and Joe Chambers worked on the project. "That's kind of what Sand Springs is; people just jump in and help when they're needed," said City Manager Elizabeth Gray. The volunteers were unable to attend the meeting but the Council plans to find another day to meet with them and thank them.

The City voted to unanimously approve the consent agenda which included six items considered to be routine. Part of the agenda included approval of a renewed contract with EMSA for emergency medical services. The cost of EMSA's services will increase by approximately 17.89%, but it is not expected to impact the City at this time. The City expected and budgeted for the increase in Fiscal Year 2016, but the increase never came to fruition. 

According to Mayor Mike Burdge, 4-5% is the typical increase. This year the increase is so high "due to general increases in operating costs and the impact of Medicaid cuts on patient receipts," says EMSA Chief Financial Officer Kent Torrence. Fire Chief Mike Wood still considers it to be a good deal compared to other options. 

SEE RELATED: Keri Fothergill appointed to Sand Springs Planning Commission

The Council approved a new 2017 Calendar Year schedule of regular meetings for the Council and Municipal Authority. The new schedule will have the Council meeting once per month, which will total twelve regular meetings as opposed to the current schedule of nineteen. This year the Council has meet twice per month with exception for the summer months (June July and August) and holiday months (November and December).

The meetings are to be held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m., the same time and day as they currently are. The meetings will be January 23rd, February 27th, March 27th, April 24th, May 22nd, June 26th, July 24th, August 28th, September 25th, October 23rd, November 27th, and December 18th. December 18th is the third Monday of the month, as the fourth Monday falls on Christmas Day. There will also be a special session held Monday, May 8th to swear in new council members.  

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council members help fund Elementary field trip

The Council unanimously approved “a resolution affirming dilapidation public nuisance administrative hearing findings and authorization for the bringing of any action necessary in District Court.” The resolution applies to three dilapidated buildings slated for demolition sometime in October. The ten-day administrative appeals process expired without any appeals received and the property owners now have thirty days following the approval of the resolution to challenge the decision. The properties are located at 714 N. Washington Ave., 301 N. Franklin Ave., and 223 N. Industrial Ave.

SEE RELATED: Capital Homes to develop 87-lot housing addition in South Sand Springs

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council approves new ordinance relating to false alarms

City Council unanimously approved a contract with Dewberry Architects for design of the new public safety facilities. In September of 2015 the citizens of Sand Springs voted to pass a dedicated sales tax to build new police, fire, courts, and 911 facilities.

The City is still looking at 129th and Wekiwa as the optimal location for the new facilities, but is open to other locations should a better situation present itself.

The Council unanimously approved Resolution 17-02, related to park funding and improvements.  

Capital Homes to develop 87-lot housing addition in South Sand Springs

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular monthly meeting Monday and unanimously approved a request from Capital Homes to rezone a 19.8-acre property in Prattville from RS-3 to RS-4.

The rezoning will decrease the required lot size from 60 feet wide to 50 feet wide, allowing the developer to build an additional nine homes within the planned housing addition.

Capital Homes’ most recent development in Sand Springs was the Walnut Ridge addition which holds 101 homes and took five years to fill completely. The new addition will be built on 51st Street, East of the Southeast corner of 129th W. Ave. It backs up to the Sandite Sporting Complex and will hold 87 total houses.

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Capital Homes President David Charney also made a donation to Sand Springs Public Schools to sponsor ten students for the JA BizTown field trip, but specifically made the donation after the vote on his housing addition, so as to not put the Council in what could appear to be a compromised position.

SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council members help fund Elementary field trip

Buyers in the addition will have four floor plans to choose from. The plans include three one-story options at approximately 1300--1800 square feet, and one two-story plan averaging 2300 square feet.

Sand Springs City Council members help fund Elementary field trip

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs City Council considered a request from Councilman Brian Jackson to help fund a field-trip for Sand Springs Elementary students Monday evening at their regular August meeting. The outcome wasn’t what Jackson was hoping for, but it was still a positive result.

Jackson submitted a request that the City add Junior Achievement BizTown to Resolution 16-30, which authorizes the City to make arrangements for funding and participation of City officials in public events that are in the best interest of the City and promotes the goals and objectives of the City.

There are currently nineteen events/expenses that are authorized by the resolution, including Oklahoma Municipal League conferences, National League of Cities conferences, Mayors Council of Oklahoma conferences, The Oklahoma Academy, Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce membership, and Tulsa Metro Chamber membership.

Adding BizTown to the list would allow the City to redirect funding from the Hotel/Motel tax reserve to the Economic Development budget. Had the resolution passed to add BizTown to the list, Council would then consider a request by Jackson that a total sum of $3,625 be given to Sand Springs Public Schools for the purpose of sending 145 students from Northwoods Fine Arts Academy and Garfield STEAM Academy to BizTown in January, 2017.

BizTown opened in Tulsa in March 2003 under the name “Exchange City.” A city within a city, BizTown is a 6,500 square foot facility that houses a miniature “city” ran by fifth grade students. BizTown students spend approximately four weeks preparing for their trip, learning curriculum centered around financial literacy and work readiness. On January 17th and January 20th, students from Garfield and Northwoods respectively would visit the BizTown facility for a total of four hours where they will work jobs, collect a paycheck, and live like adults.

Some of the career-fields available inside BizTown include banking, working for a newspaper, policing, working in the food industry, City Government careers and more.

The BizTown program costs Junior Achievement $50 per student. The schools provide half of that cost and Junior Achievement raises the other half. Local philanthropist Mike Case, of Case and Associates, donated $3,625 to Junior Achievement to help fund the Garfield and Northwoods students, but the schools still have to raise their half of the funds.

While the Council recognized the quality learning environment that BizTown provides, their concern was that it wasn’t the place of the City to use Public funds in such a manner. “I’m not quite sure it’s a city responsibility,” said Councilwoman Patty Dixon. She went on to suggest that local civic groups and businesses should be contacted for help, and that the Council could help in being a voice for the program.

Councilman Jim Spoon was more direct in saying “I can’t see that it’s not a charitable donation.” The resolution specifically states that charitable donations are not allowed to be made with the funds.

“I see it as a partnership opportunity with our public schools that are hurting,” said Jackson. Jackson, who is the Development Manager for Junior Achievement, had also attempted to get BizTown on the resolution when it was initially passed in April. The Council voted to pass the resolution as-is by a vote of 5-2-0 with Jackson and former Councilman Dean Nichols voting against.

Council also pointed out that this money has already been budgeted, and rather tightly. “If we’re going to do something like this, we need to find a better way,” said Councilman Phil Nollan.

Nollan, Burdge, Dixon, and Councilman Beau Wilson each voluntarily committed to sponsoring four kids apiece out of their own pocket. David Charney, President of Capital Homes was also present at the meeting for an unrelated matter and personally pledged to sponsor ten kids.

With twenty-four kids down, Sand Springs schools still needs to find donors for the remaining 119. Citizens wishing to make a donation can send checks to the Board of Education building at 11 West Broadway, Sand Springs, OK 74063. Please note "Garfield/Northwoods JA Biztown" in the memo line.

This week in Sand Springs

Museum Trust Authority Meeting

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum Trust Authority is scheduled to meet Tuesday, August 16th, at 6:00 p.m. in the museum.

The Board will consider approval of the FY 2017 Budget, naming Ginger Murphy as Museum Director, reallocating space for museum operations, and will discuss the July financials.

Development Authority Meeting

The City of Sand Springs Development Authority is scheduled to meetWednesday, August 17th at 4:00 p.m. in the Sand Springs Municipal Building.

The Board will receive an update on Sand Springs’s development opportunities. No action is expected to be taken during the meeting.

Sand Springs Elementary Meet and Greets

Pratt Elementary is hosting their Meet and Greet event on Thursday, August 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The PTO will have a table set up for memberships and new spirit wear will be available for purchase.

Northwoods, Limestone, and Garfield Elementary will hold Meet-n-Greet events Monday, August 22nd, the day before school starts. Northwoods and Garfield will last from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Limestone will last from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 City Council and Municipal Authority Meetings

The City of Sand Springs City Council is expected to meet Monday, August 22nd at 7:00 p.m. in the City Municipal Building. The Municipal Authority meeting will follow immediately after. No agenda has been provided at this time.

Tulsa County Court Clerk Runoff Election

The Tulsa County Republican Party will have a runoff election Tuesday, August 23rd.

Registered Republicans will choose between Donald Newberry and Ron Phillips for their November candidate.

Newberry is a US Air Force veteran with an Associate’s in Business, Bachelor’s in Psychology, and Masters in Business Administration.

Phillips is currently the Special Projects Director for the County Clerk’s Office and holds a business administration degree.

The winner of the runoff will take on Democratic nominee John R. Andrew in November.

Newberry won the June Republican primary with 35% to 33%.

Sand Springs Public School students return to class Tuesday, August 23rd

Meet the Sandites will also be held this day at 6:00 p.m..

Back to School in Sand Springs

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Several community organizations are hosting Back to School events in the coming weeks.

Trinity Baptist Church will be hosting a Back to School Bash from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13th at 13 West 40th St. in Sand Springs. The church will be providing games, food, inflatables, and free haircuts. It is also a gym in the hit game Pokémon Go!

The Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance and Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce are partnering to host a Back to School Bash Sunday, August 14th at the Tulsa Tech campus at 924 East Charles Page Boulevard.

The event will last from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will offer free haircuts and school supplies.

Sand Springs Community Services is hosting a three-day Back to School program in which they will be distributing backpacks, school supplies, and clothing vouchers. The program is only available to Sand Springs, Anderson, and Keystone students with proof of enrollment and proof that the child received free lunches las year.

The event will take place Monday, August 15th through Wednesday, August 17th. SSCS will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day, and on Tuesday will reopen from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Angus Valley Elementary is having their Back-to-School Night Monday, August 15th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet your teacher and the principal, Mrs. Noel. You can also fill out applications for free and reduced lunches, as well as sign up for the Salvation Army’s after school program.

Pratt Elementary is hosting their Meet and Greet event on Thursday, August 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The PTO will have a table set up for memberships and new spirit wear will be available for purchase.

Northwoods, Limestone, and Garfield Elementary will hold Meet-n-Greet events Monday, August 22nd, the day before school starts. Northwoods and Garfield will last from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Limestone will last from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Changes to Sand Springs bus routes has parents scrambling

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Two citizens in the Anderson School District expressed concerns at the Sand Springs School Board meeting Monday night regarding the Board’s decision to eliminate some bus routes into neighboring school districts.

Districts such as Anderson, Keystone, Pretty Water, and Allen Bowden, that do not offer full K-12th grade classes, send students to Sand Springs schools on an open transfer once they reach a certain age.

In the past, the Sand Springs school district has bused those students into the district, but budget cuts have eliminated some of those routes.

Sand Springs is asking parents to drop their kids at bus stops within the Sand Springs district boundary, but some parents are finding that difficult and asking the Sand Springs Board of Ed to postpone their decision to the next school year.

For parents whose work schedules prevent them from taking their kids to school in the morning, the change would have some kids walking miles to the nearest bus stop. Extreme heat and winter weather, coupled with shoulderless roads and the possible threat of unsavory strangers, has many parents concerned.

Anderson School District is having a bond election on August 23rd that, if passed, will provide $250,000 for transportation equipment amounting to three new buses. At this time, however, Anderson schools haven’t addressed if the new buses would allow for routes into the Sand Springs school district in the future.

In other news, Superintendent Sherry Durkee informed the Board that the Twin Cities facility has had an interested party, but no offer has been made as of this time.

The Pratt Elementary playground is expected to be completed this week.

Board of Ed President Mike Mullins has been selected to be the recipient of the 2016 Oklahoma State School Boards Association Distinguished Service Award later this month. The award is given to only one individual a year at the annual OSSBA/CCOSA Conference in Oklahoma City. Mullins is a twenty-year veteran of the Sand Springs Board of Ed, and was nominated by Superintendent Durkee.

Superintendent Durkee comments on proposed Special Session of Legislature, district financial difficulties

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Governor Mary Fallin has recently released a statement calling for a special session of the State Legislature to reallocate $140.8 million that was initially cut from agency allocations. Without a special session, the money will be equally redistributed among all agencies receiving general revenue allocations, according to a report.

“I’ve begun discussions with legislative leaders to consider calling lawmakers to return in special session to address the issue of teacher pay raises,” says Fallin.

Sand Springs Superintendent Sherry Durkee expressed doubts that the session would amount to anything. “It’s hard to be optimistic when you look at how budgets are formulated at the State level.”

The available funds aren’t true surplus, and are only one-time funds that exist solely due to unnecessarily deep allocation reductions required by the Fiscal Year 2016’s midyear revenue failure. Because of this, any attempt at a pay raise for teachers would only be sustainable for this year, and would require additional funding be located in the future.

According to Superintendent Durkee, district funding from the State will be down 2.3% behind last year, despite assurances from the Capitol that it would remain flat. Additionally, certain allocations were not made available this year, including funding for new textbooks. The school board made the decision to go ahead and purchase textbooks with money from the district general fund, an option that many districts across the state aren’t capable of. The school district is also 51 employees fewer than this time last year. “Class sizes are going to grow,” said Durkee. “Our goal is to not overspend our revenue...We have to protect our district.”

A lawsuit has already been filed asking the Supreme Court to demand that Governor Fallin return the money to the State agencies from whom it was cut. Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks, of Norman, issued the following statement Wednesday.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—we don’t have to pass a new law to determine how and where these funds should be spent. We passed a budget in May of 2015 which directed how these funds were to be spent. The governor and her staff are over-stepping their authority by continuing to withhold these funds. The governor’s finance team needs to simply distribute these funds to the agencies for which they were originally appropriated. This is not a difficult problem to solve—just follow the law, and distribute the funds to the agencies who suffered unlawful and unauthorized cuts.

“This is another example of the Republicans at the state Capitol not following even their own laws. Instead, the burden is on hard working Oklahomans to hold the governor, her fiscal staff, and the Republican leadership at the Capitol accountable.

“Thousands of Oklahomans across our state are suffering under the weight of the massive budget cuts forced on our state agencies, from foster families and guardians who need the most basic health and safety services which no longer have funding; to teachers who received pink slips; to corrections staff working in unsafe, understaffed conditions.

“It is long past time for the governor, her fiscal staff, and the Republicans in the Legislature to stop trying to play politics with these funds and simply give it back to the agencies that desperately need this funding and received what we now know were unnecessary, damaging budget cuts.”

Garfield Elementary receives new name to go with new improvements; district embraces STEM initiative

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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting Monday evening. The session was held at Garfield Elementary in the newly finished Lloyd Snow Media Center. The Board held a ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the meeting.

The school itself has been undergoing extensive remodeling over the summer and is nearing completion. In addition to the new library, the remodel also includes a new music room, four new kindergarten classrooms, and a new dining space and kitchen. The project is part of an $8.8 million bond election, with $6.5 million going to Garfield.

The remodel is accompanied by a slight rebranding. Garfield Elementary will now be known as “Garfield STEAM Academy.” STEAM is a slight modification of the acronym STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, with the addition of the Arts.

This fall will see all Sand Springs elementary schools participating in the STEM initiative with curriculum from Project Lead the Way. The initiative will cost the school district approximately $65,000. That money isn’t coming from the schools, however, but from donations from community businesses and education foundations. Most recently, Webco made a $10,000 donation to the initiative, leaving the district just $4,000 short of their goal.

The district is also increasing the number of STEM electives available at Clyde Boyd Middle School and Central Ninth Grade Center.

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Monday night’s meeting included presentations from three groups of STEM involved students.

Zachary Sprague, Connor Tanner, Isaiah Uebelhart, Grant Shelton, and James McDougal presented one of their creations. Subtitle Glasses for the Hard of Hearing were created as a solution for hearing-impaired movie-goers. By wearing lightweight plastic glasses, similar to the glasses one would wear for a 3D movie, an individual can see subtitles on screen that are invisible to the naked eye.

Aden Baughman and Greg Bodi presented a holographic projector that they built with their group including Aaron McKnight, Will English, Chase Smith, Nathan Richards, and Stephen West.

Samantha Pidcock, Ayden Meade, Breanna Biggs, Alesha Milsap, and Mason Curren presented an improved design for CNGC’s electromagnetic door locks.

Sandite Spirit Awards were given to Dana Weber and Kristen Valentine for their work in STEM Initiative fundraising.

This week in Sand Springs

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Joint City Council-Municipal Authority Meeting Monday

The Sand Springs City Council will hold a regular meeting Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Sand Springs Municipal Building, immediately followed by the regular Municipal Authority meeting.

Police Chief Michael Carter will provide a presentation regarding the Policing Plan for 2016.

The Council will consider approval of a renewal of the agreement between the City of Sand Springs and Reasor’s for the Fiscal Year 2017.

The Council will consider appointments to the Board of Adjustment, Development Authority, Parks Advisory Board, Planning Commission, Personnel Board, and Airport Advisory Board.

The Council will consider renewal of an agreement with the Metropolitan Environmental Trust (M.E.T.) to continue providing current recycling services through the next year.

August 23rd election voter registration deadline approaches

Friday, July 29th is the final day to register to vote in time for the August 23rd special election.

Tulsa County Republicans will vote in a runoff between Donald Newberry and Ron Phillips for County Court Clerk. Independents are not eligible to vote in Republican primaries.

Newberry is a US Air Force veteran with an Associate’s in Business, Bachelor’s in Psychology, and Masters in Business Administration.

Phillips is currently the Special Projects Director for the County Clerk’s Office and holds a business administration degree.

The winner of the runoff will take on Democratic nominee John R. Andrew in November.

Newberry won the June Republican primary with 35% to 33%.

Highway 97 Rivalry Alumni game moved to Sand Springs

Sand Springs Memorial Stadium will host the third annual Highway 97 Alumni football game for the second year in a row due to ongoing construction at the Chieftains’ stadium.

Registration is Monday the 25th at 5:30 p.m. with the first practice to follow at 6:30 the same day. The game will be held Saturday July 30th at 7:30 p.m.

The series is tied 1-1 with Sand Springs winning last year’s game 35-0.

This week in Sand Springs

Photo by Morgan Miller

Board of Adjustment

The City of Sand Springs Board of Adjustment will be meeting Monday, July 18th at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Room at the City Municipal Building.

The Board will elect a new Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary.

The Board will also discuss and consider the possible approval of a variance to the Sand Springs Zoning Code relating to the construction of a single-family residence on the Prattville side of town.

Planning Commission

The City of Sand Springs Planning Commission will not be holding their regular monthly meeting Monday due to a lack of agenda items.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 15th.

Museum Trust Authority

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum Trust Authority will be meeting Tuesday July 19th at 6:00 p.m. in the Sand Springs Museum building at 9 E Broadway.

The Board will review the Fiscal Year 2016 financials with no action to be taken.

The Trustees will consider proceeding with interior repairs and improvement of the museum.

The Trustees will consider appointments to various museum committees and the committee chairs will present the monthly reports.

 Development Authority Meeting

The Sand Springs Development Authority will hold their regular monthly meeting in the City Municipal Building Wednesday July 20th at 4:00 p.m.

The Trustees will elect a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, receive an update on Sand Springs’ development opportunities, and will consider entering an executive session to confer on matters pertaining to economic development.

SSPS Enrollment begins Monday

Students of Sand Springs Public Schools may begin enrolling as early as July 18th for the upcoming school year.

The enrollment center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every business day but Wednesday. On Wednesdays the hours are the same, except it is closed from noon to 1:00 p.m.

For information on medical records, identifications, and other materials necessary for enrollment, contact the center at 918.246.1448.

OSU Big Three Field Days

The longest-lasting relationships from high school are typically those built through extra-curricular activities. Sand Springs students are able to do just that through Future Farmers of America. FFA is about much more than showing livestock and farming, it is also a great vessel to teaching students about things such as leadership and public speaking. There are approximately 230 members in Sand Springs FFA, and some of them will be attending the OSU Big Three Field Days from Tuesday, July 19th to Thursday, July 21st. This event is held at the OSU Animal Science Arena and hosts about 1,300 to 1,400 students each year. The first day of this event is the Sheep field day, the second is the Beef field day, and the final day is the Swine field day. For a complete list of events you can go to http://sandsprings.theaet.com.

Chandler Park is “Just For Tots” on July 23rd

Trying to find something fun for the little ones to do this summer? Just for Tots Day at Chandler Park is a day just for the small children! It will be Saturday, July 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be plenty of entertainment for the little ones, including toys to play with, games, crafts, goodie bags, and door prizes. Lunch will also be included! There will be a $5 entry fee at the door for each child, but parents will be admitted for free. For more information contact Tracy Hardy-Wade at918.591.6053 or thardy-wade@tulsacounty.org.

SSPS staff changes for upcoming school year

As of July 1st, Sherry Durkee has officially inherited the Superintendent position from Lloyd Snow, and Rod Sitton inherited the Athletic Director position from Ed Garrett.

Both Snow and Garrett have been long-time staples in the SSPS community for decades, but their replacements are far from outsiders. Durkee and Sitton have been with the community for years and are expected to be great fits in continuing the Sandite tradition of excellence.

Sand Springs shows love of PD after Dallas shooting

The tragic attack on Dallas Police officers on July 7th had a profound emotional impact on police officers and their friends and family across the country.

Hillspring Church presented the SSPD with a large banner this past week stating “Hillspring Church loves and supports you!”

The Sand Springs Jeepin’ group also presented the SSPD with gift cards to Sweetie Pies to show their appreciation.

Sand Springs Board of Ed overcomes financial challenges, increases school security and hires new staff

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Board of Education handed out three Coins of Excellence at the regular monthly meetings Tuesday night. Jamie Guthrie received a coin for her appointment to the Executive Committee for Oklahoma Directors of Special Services. Clyde Boyd Middle School teacher Janet Johnson was recognized as an Outstanding Middle Level Science Teacher. Board member Bo Naugle was recognized for his services on the board and formerly as Board President.  

Superintendent Sherry Durkee had the reigns for the first time since officially moving into her new position as of July 1st.

Durkee walked the meeting through the new mandates concerning student evaluation since the passage of House Bill 3218 which eliminated the controversial End of Instruction exams. Incoming classes will still have evaluation exams, but the tests won't impede graduation for students who have satisfied curricular requirements. 

The Garfield Elementary renovations will be done by the end of July according to Durkee, and the district is actually ahead on budget, allowing them to green-light several additional items.  

The 2016-2017 school year will feature a new security feature across the district, called "Lobby Guard." Lobby Guard will allow school visitors to scan their drivers license or state-issued ID upon entering the school. The program will run visitors' ID through a database of sex offenders and other potentially dangerous individuals. Visitors cleared for entry will then receive a photo ID sticker allowing for easy identification by teachers. On a lighter note, the program will also allow for easier tracking of volunteer hours.

The district is looking at a general fund of about $3.8 million dollars compared to $4.3 million the prior year, but is still above worst case scenario predictions. According to Treasurer Greg Morris, the district was at one point looking at a general fund of $2.9 million before the repercussions of the latest legislative session balanced out.  

The board approved the hiring of eleven new employees for the new school year. The new employees will be filling positions vacated since the previous school year and are not newly created positions. Despite the new hires, the district will still be down 51 personnel since the last school year.  

CBMS will gain three new employees in Tiffany Golightly, Sarah Thayer, and Baine Wise. Golightly will teach sixth grade English, Thayer will teach sixth grade English as well as coach the eighth and ninth grade Cheer teams, and Scott Patton will be the middle school Head Football Coach and In-School Intervention Supervisor. 

Pratt Elementary gained Special Education teacher Haleigh Mattingly. Angus Valley Elementary gained Speech Language Pathologist Kama Wilson. Limestone Elementary gained kindergarten teacher Megan Kernell and second grade teacher Kristina Medina. 

Charles Page High School will add Amanda Lair, Jason Thomsen, and Blaine Wise. Lair will teach History, Thomsen will teach Special Ed, and Wise will teach History as well as coach Football and Golf.