Talk of a state basketball tournament and a “teacher walkout” highlighted conversation at the March 5, 2018, Luther School Board meeting. Business was also conducted with the swearing in of board member CJ Cavin to a full term, the re-election of the board officers and the contract approval of certified teachers.
Steve Broudy was re-elected board president, Sherri Anderson as vice-president and Tony Rumpl as clerk.
The boys are going to state. It hasn’t happened in twenty years; and the 1998 team didn’t make it past the first round. The current Luther Boys Basketball Team sailed through postseason play to win Regional and Area Tournaments to secure a slot in this weekend’s 2A State Tournament.
The game is Thursday at 7pm in Yukon against Ketchum. A community sendoff and a tweaking of parent-teacher conferences were announced at the board meeting.
THURSDAY 5 pm. Fans are invited to be part of a community sendoff of the “Bus to State.” We should park at the visitors side of the football field and line Hogback Road to cheer on the team as the bus heads toward the turnpike for the trip to Yukon. Word is the Luther Fire Department will have lights and sirens, and the Luther Police Department will provide an escort.
Parent Teacher Conferences, March 8th & 9th. “To allow our community to go support the LHS boys basketball team in the state tournament, times have been changed for the middle school and high school locations as follows: Thursday conferences will be held from 4-6 p.m. and Friday morning conferences will be held from 8-Noon.”
With a win on Thursday, Luther will play on Friday night at 8 pm again in Yukon, and the Class 2A Final is Saturday at 9:15 pm at the State Fairgrounds.
The Lady Lions will be awarded Academic All-State recognition at the tournament on Saturday at 12:15 pm at the Fairgrounds. After a valiant season and tough tournament play, the girls’ team missed their trip to the state tournament by just one point last Saturday. “I can’t say enough about how proud I am of this team,” said Superintendent Barry Gunn. “To me, they exemplify what a team sport should be with their excellence. I am sad about their final loss, however, will be proud to stand with them as they receive their academic award Saturday, for the third out of the last four years.”
Moving on to the Teacher Walkout
The swell of statewide support for a teacher walkout came up during the meeting, however, it was not on the agenda to involve any action. The conversation generally touched on whether Luther would be involved officially, although Supt. Gunn emphasized he needed more information and would be getting it during a meeting Tuesday. One of the touted plans is for teachers to not show up for work on April 2 and head to the State Capitol to lobby lawmakers. It’s a move reminiscent of the 1990 walkout that led to the unfunded passage of “HB 1017” that was supposed to rightsize classrooms and give teachers a raise.
“We are hemorrhaging qualified teachers out of our state. We’ve got to do something to value our educators,” said Mr. Gunn. “I hope teachers understand we value them.”
Mr. Geoffrey Agan was among the teachers at the meeting. “There is a lot of frustration about what is going on or what is not going on at the legislature,” regarding teachers’ compensation packages. “I’m not saying the whole state of Oklahoma will walk out, but it’s inching in that direction,” said Agan.
Several school districts in the state, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa, have pledged to be part of a walkout in whatever form it takes. A bill to increase teacher pay failed at the legislature this session, while the education budget has been cut.
The meeting was broadcast in two parts at Luther Register’s Facebook page.
How does a walk out affect the mandated hours of education students must have as well as contracts signed by teachers? I agree teachers deserve additional.support, just trying to understand ramifications .