OKCPS Superintendent Discusses Bible Mandate, Goals For Upcoming School Year

With students in Oklahoma City set to return to the classroom next week, school officials are preparing for big changes ahead of the 2024-25 academic year.

The News 9 team is joined by Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jamie Polk to discuss what students and parents can expect when classes begin.

The upcoming school year will be Polk's first as OKCPS superintendent, having spent five years as assistant superintendent for the district before replacing Dr. Sean McDaniel, who resigned earlier this year.

RELATED: OKCPS Superintendent Announces Resignation

One of the issues presenting OKCPS is a new mandate from Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters, which requires the use of the Bible in classroom education.

Several school districts across the state responded to the new mandate, with many, including districts in the Oklahoma City metro, saying they would not follow Walters' directive.

RELATED: Largest Oklahoma Schools Respond To OSDE Bible Directive, None Say They Plan To Change Curriculum

Polk said her district is committed to following the law but has not yet made a decision regarding the new mandate.

"I will make a solid statement with the teachers when they return, we are looking to, as always, to follow the law," Polk said. "We do not have authorization to go outside of policy or law, and that's what we will continue to do when the teachers return back for their first professional development day."

As for what parents should know going into the 2024-25 academic year, Polk said they will address any and all concerns.

"We want our parents to know that we will follow the law and ensure that their wishes are being addressed," Polk said. "We've always done that, that it will not change. Families are actually the first teachers, and so as we lean in and do this work together, we'll actually be very fruitful."

With over 30,000 children enrolled for the upcoming school year, Polk said making sure each one has a place and teacher in the classroom is one of the main concerns they are focusing on.

"Our numbers are up from last year, in regards to enrollment," Polk said. "We usually range around 33,000, and so we're just slightly above that, and we're going to ask our families to please come and enroll."

As for classroom size, Polk said district officials are optimizing the number of students in each class to ensure each can grow into a "productive citizen."