PRESS RELEASE - September 23, 2007
Big Dividends For Oklahoma’s Largest School District
On Friday, September 21, 2007, Tulsa Public Schools received a letter from the United States Department of Education stating: “Tulsa County Independent School District No. 1…has been selected to receive funding under the Magnet Schools Assistance Program … This grant will be in the amount of $3,875,688.00 for the period 10/1/2007 through 9/30/2008. It is anticipated that the grant will be for a total of 3 years.”
Tulsa Public Schools will use nearly $12 million in federal funds over the next three years, to reform and revitalize four of the district’s magnet high schools. McLain High School for Science and Technology will receive funding for instructional technology in aerospace, aviation maintenance, meteorology, materials science and wave mechanics. The Daniel Webster Broadcast, Digital Media and Marketing High School will use the money to build a state-of-the-art television studio. The Lodging, Restaurant and Health Management magnet at Hale High School will receive funding for an industrial kitchen and on-site teaching restaurant. Central High School of Fine Arts will now be able to offer more quality courses in instrumental music, theater, dance, vocal performance and visual art.
The goal of the Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) is to provide opportunities for school districts to focus on expanding educational choices for students. Tulsa Public Schools’ goals are to reduce or prevent minority group isolation by creating unique, high-quality magnet programs that attract and support diverse student populations; to fundamentally reform the schools’ quality of instruction; to significantly develop, improve and expand teaching abilities; and to create and establish reforms that will sustain long-term academic achievement.
Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Zolkoski said of the grant award, “We’re going to get right to work, using this $12 million to provide quality learning choices for our high school students.” He says the district is especially grateful to U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and Congressman John Sullivan, both of Tulsa. The two Republican lawmakers were instrumental in securing the grand funding.
Congressman Sullivan said he is pleased to be part of securing the state’s only magnet school grant for Tulsa Public Schools. "I am committed to safer schools, alternative schools and Tulsa's magnet school program,” he said. “This grant is a great opportunity for me to work with grant writers and advocates on Capitol Hill to bring existing dollars back to the State of Oklahoma."
On January 22, 2007, the Tulsa Board of Education voted to approve an unprecedented recommendation from Dr. Zolkoski. Board members Oma Jean Copeland, Cathy Newsome, Matt Livingood, Gary Percefull, Ruth Ann Fate and Bobbie Gray voted unanimously to enter into a $90,000 contract with Heartland Consulting, Inc. to lobby members of the United States Congress on behalf of Tulsa Public Schools. In July of this year, board members voted to extend the contract with Heartland through September 30th.
“I’m just thankful it paid off for our students,” said Dr. Zolkoski of the $135,000 combined contracts with Heartland. “A 3,000 percent gain over 8 months is a pretty good return on an investment in Tulsa’s future.”
Contacts:
Todd Singer, Heartland Consulting, Inc. (918) 408-2656
John Tidwell for Congressman John Sullivan (918) 749-0014
Tami Marler for Dr. Michael Zolkoski (918) 605-6009
Danny Finnerty for Senator James Inhofe (918) 748-5111
