OKC Public Schools Responds To Civil Rights Complaints

Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) officials said the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is investigating three complaints against the district.

OKCPS officials said those allegations include failure to provide equal opportunities to male and female students in its high schools, discrimination against African American students and students with disabilities with regard to alternative education placements, and individual race-based harassment and retaliation, and discrimination against Hispanic and African American students in the administration of discipline.

The district's bilingual coordinator released a statement in response to the complaints on Monday evening.

Deivi Blanco-Santizo's statement said:

“Revealing the Office for Civil Rights complaints publically [sic] supports Superintendent Neu's belief in the need for transparency and an honest look at the state of Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS). OKCPS is working closely with the Office for Civil Rights on each of the complaints; at this time additional information cannot be shared publicly because it is an ongoing legal issue. Through the Great Conversation we will identify strategies to address the findings and move forward to improve academic performance for all students in the district.”