State Board Puts Western Heights Public Schools On Probation, Threatens Dissolution

The Oklahoma State Board of Education unanimously agreed to put Western Heights Public Schools on probation, the precursor to removing the district’s accreditation. 

Board legal counsel Brad Clark presented several complaints from parents and others against the district along with alleged violations of state law. 

Western Heights Superintendent Mannix Barnes did not provide a comment after News 9 denied his request for a live interview. 

WHPS Board of Education president Robert Everman did not respond to a request for comment Friday. 

No one from WHPS was present to represent the district at Friday’s meeting despite multiple requests from the state board. 

“I think it absolutely warrants moving forward knowing they had that opportunity and chose to not take it,” said board member Jennifer Monies. 

A formal notice listing the violations and issues will be written and sent to the district soon, Clark said. 

“I would really challenge the local school board to look inward and do some house cleaning with their leadership, with their superintendent,” said state board member Brian Bobek. 

If the violations are not addressed in 90 days, the board could vote to revoke the district’s accreditation. In that event, Clark said students could enroll in nearby school districts or find other schooling. 

“We want to see the students be successful and thrive and flourish right there at Western Heights, if possible,” said state superintendent Joy Hofmeister. 

No in-person classes 

Among the top concerns for the board was that Western Heights has been completely virtual for more than a year. 

Clark said he believes WHPS is the only district in the state not offering any option for in-person instruction. 

“It’s disappointing,” said board member Estela Hernandez. “Their board and the superintendent have not been solutions-driven in getting students back.” 

The district has lost more than 100 district staff members in the last year, Clark said. 

Finances 

Clark presented several expenditures as concerning to the board. 

The district used voter-approved 2018 bond funds, meant for infrastructure repairs, to pay back previous debt, Clark said. “It’s against statute. It’s right there in the audit.” 

Clark said there is no documentation showing the district used federal COVID-19 relief funding to purchase electronic devices for students. 

He also showed several anonymous complaints from parents and others that said Barnes said at a recent board meeting that the district would only return to in-person classes if federal funding was jeopardized. 

Community Relations 

The state board and the Oklahoma City mayor criticized WHPS in April 2020 when the district suspended its program to serve meals to families. 

Hofmeister, at the time, called the decision “unacceptable.” 

The districts food was provided by a nonprofit through a local partnership rather than the federal nutrition program, Clark said. Several parents complained about the quality of the food, saying it was sometimes expired or moldy. 

Board members said the district must establish a mechanism of sorts to hear and address community complaints as part of their probation requirements. 

WHPS board member Linda Farley drew criticism from the state and community after she was seen drinking a beer during a virtual public school board meeting.