EDMOND —
Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, House Speaker T.W. Shannon, Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage and House Democratic Leader Scott Inman announced Wednesday the members of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security.
Lamb, R-Edmond, a former U.S. Secret Service agent, will serve as chair of the commission and looks forward to the work set to be accomplished, he stated.
“Partnering with legislative leaders to create the Oklahoma Commission on School Security was a much-needed, proactive decision,” Lamb said. “Our children deserve safe and secure learning environments and this commission is committed to doing just that. Each commission member brings experience from their respective field that will generate ideas and solutions to enhance school security.”
Members of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security include 22 local school personnel, law enforcement, parents and health care professionals.
Local members include Roger Webb, headmaster of Oklahoma Christian School in Edmond, former president of the University of Central Oklahoma and former commissioner of the state Department of Public Safety; and Edmond Police Department Captain Tim Dorsey.
Other members are:
• Maj. Gen. Lee Baxter (retired) — State Board of Education member;
• Dr. Ryan Brown – associate professor of psychology, University of Oklahoma;
• Lyn Watson – Oklahoma City School Board, District 1;
• Randy Holley — superintendent, Shattuck Public Schools;
• Dr. Gary Quinn — superintendent, Bartlesville Public Schools;
• Kevin Burr — superintendent, Sapulpa Public Schools;
• Mike McClaren — superintendent, Claremore Public Schools;
• Dr. Trice Butler — principal, Wilburton Middle School;
• Dr. Sharon Brady — assistant director of Special Education, Lawton Public Schools;
• Tammy Will — teacher, Morrison Public Schools;
• Dr. Eleanor Goetzinger — behavior specialist, Oklahoma City Public Schools;
• Jerry McConnell — director of Facility Operations, Moore Norman Technology Center;
• David Prater — Oklahoma County District Attorney;
• Kim Carter — director, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security;
• Brandon Clabes — Midwest City chief of Police;
• Darry Stacy — Cleveland County Commissioner, District 2;
• Gary Rudick — chief of Police, Tulsa Public Schools Campus Police;
• Major James Blocker — director of EMS, Oklahoma City Fire Department;
• Gary Armbruster — principal architect, MA+ Architecture;
• Phil Armstrong — assistant pastor, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Tulsa.
“There is nothing more important than doing everything in our power to keep Oklahoma’s kids safe,” Bingman said. “I am tremendously thankful for these subject matter experts — they are generously giving of their time to help us build safer schools and address the fundamental problems that could potentially put our kids in harm’s way. I appreciate their service.”
Shannon said, “Our children are our highest priority, and I applaud these men and women for volunteering their time and expertise to help safeguard the future of Oklahoma. My hope is they will strike the right balance between public safety and personal liberty.”
Believing there must be a serious, fact-driven discussion about the safety of Oklahoma’s schools, Burrage added, “The formation of the non-partisan Oklahoma Commission on School Safety is an important first step. I applaud those who have stepped up to serve our state in this capacity, and I look forward to the findings of the commission.”
Joining other parents who never want to second-guess the safety of their children while at school, Inman said, “The Oklahoma Commission on School Security’s work will be timely and necessary if we want to proactively create learning environments where our children feel safe, secure, and fearless throughout their education. I look forward to the commission’s findings and know these experts will provide us with a meaningful road map to ensuring our schools are secure.”
Commission members will hold various meetings, the first set to convene at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Room 419-C, at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 22. Meeting agendas will include speaker testimony and discussion on the various factors related to school security including but not limited to public safety, mental health, training, engineering and local control. The commission plans on providing suggestions and legislative recommendations regarding school security for the 2013 legislative session.
Oklahomans across the state are encouraged to submit their ideas for study in the commission by calling the lieutenant governor’s office at 521-2161.
Local News
State announces school security commission members
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE: Tornado damages 12 homes in Edmond
Twelve homes were damaged in the Edmond area by Sunday afternoon’s tornado, a city official said.
At about 3:47 p.m. Sunday, outdoor warning sirens began to blow in east Edmond. Police spokeswoman Jenny Monroe said point of contact for the tornado appeared to be in the 33rd and Bryant area. From there, the path went to the northeast and crossed I-35, Monroe said. -
More than 120 from OC serve on summer missions
In the past year, Oklahoma Christian University emphasized “OC is Home” as a key theme to begin John deSteiguer’s tenure as president.
This summer, more than 120 students, staff and faculty are leaving the comforts of home to serve and spread the Gospel in around 20 countries, showing that “OC is Mission,” too.
“We are motivated and encouraged by the pure hearts for service that so many OC students have,” deSteiguer said. “We commend them, as well as our many faculty and staff who exemplify OC’s Christian mission to spread the good news and serve others.” -
FAI calling all pets for ‘Pets in the Park’
Animals now get their turn to connect with the activities at the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond with a new event, Pets in the Park, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 at Mitzi’s Park, 27 E. Edwards. Registration for the pet parade and art contest will begin at 10:30 a.m.
-
UPDATE: Tornado touches portions of Edmond
Roger Williams and his wife Shellie, residents in Edmond’s Thornbrooke neighborhood since 2004, were watching the weather reports Sunday as a large storm approached the city.
When they heard reports that a tornado was spotted near Broadway and 15th Street, then Broadway and 33rd Street, the couple and their son Ethan, 11, took cover in a reinforced interior closet. After they closed the door it got eerily quiet, like being in the eye of a hurricane, Roger said. As the tornado passed by, they could hear a few bangs outside.
“I was kind of scared,” Ethan said. -
SLIDESHOW: Tornado strikes I-35 area of Edmond
A violent tornado ripped trees out of the ground as it dropped into southern Edmond late Sunday afternoon along areas east and west of Interstate 35 from 15th Street to 33rd Street, according to various reports. Damage in Edmond is confirmed by the city and included blown out windows at the brand new Mercy I-35 facility that was scheduled to open later this year. Hail also peppered northwest Edmond during the violent storm event.
-
The Big One
It’s a bleak scenario. A massive earthquake along the New Madrid fault kills or injures 60,000 people in Tennessee. A quarter of a million people are homeless.
-
City plans to hire downtown consultant
Conceptual ideas about how the City of Edmond may plan for downtown development were shared this week by David Forrest with members of the business community.
The Central Edmond Urban Development Board has revisited plans made in a 1998 Downtown Master Plan through public meetings and presentations to protect the future development of Broadway. Recommendations by the group will be taken into account by future city councils. -
Feds recommend changing legal alcohol content levels
During the past 15 years alcohol contributed to a third of highway deaths prompting the government this week to recommend reducing state Blood Alcohol Content limits from .08 to .05 or lower.
-
St. Mary’s Episcopal School names new Head of School
Pamela Dockter will become the new Head of School at St. Mary’s Episcopal School effective July 1.
-
Local girl receives crown
Audrianna Page Fredericks recently was crowned Miss Junior Teen Oklahoma United States 2013.
- More Local News Headlines
-
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Who is $600M Powerball winner in Fla.?
Top 5 Plays of the Day
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Twiggy, the Waterskiing Squirrel
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in Kansas
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
