THERE'Sç BEEN SO M A DEATHçççççççççç HERE.çççççççmçççççç LOVEDç TOç PLAY THEçi]çç G. I THINKç WE WENT OUT THEREç Aá BEFOREç ITç STARTEDñrçç ANDç OUT THERE FORçç Aç CHAMBERçR REMEMBERçç HER, ISçççççD SHEçç DID SOççç MUCHç FORE CHILDRENçç FORç SOç MANYçç >> AS FAR AS CAMPççççççç& A --çççi]ççç v> MARY SUEçç SENDS HERç THAç FIRST RESPONDERS.

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INSTEAD OF GOING IN ALONE TO FIX IT, THEY GOT ON THE BACKS.

>> THIS ONE IS A GOOD ONE WHAT IS THAT?

>> IT'S GOT ROCKS BUILT INTO IT.

>> MARK WAKEFIELD SAID HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN COMING HERE FOR 35 YEARS.

TENKILLER IS 20 MILES SOUTH.

>> I'VE BEEN CHECKING THE LAKE LEVELS ONLINE.

A FEW MONTHS AGO MARK AND A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS WORRIED WHETHER THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO COME BACK THIS YEAR.

>> IT'S LIKE A PERFECT STORM.

>> BILL MANAGED CHEROKEE LANDING AND TENKILLER STATE PARK.

HE SAID THEY HAVE BEEN IN RECOVERY MODE SINCE TENKILLER STATE PARK GOT SMACKED BY MONSOON-LIKE RAINS AND AN EF ONE TORNADO BACK IN MAY.

>> THE LAKE CAME UP ABOUT 8 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TWO DIFFERENT TIMES RIGHT THERE BACK-TO-BACK.

IT SEEMED LIKE WE HAD JUST GOTTEN IT CLEANED AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN.

>> THIS JUST NORTH OF US IS THE ILLINOIS RIVER, THE UPPER ILLINOIS RIVER.

IT COMES IN AND AS IT FLOODS IT BRINGS LOTS OF DEBRIS.

YOU GET A SOUTHWEST WIND BLOWING IN AND THIS WILL GET CORD IN FLOOD DEBRIS.

AS THEY ARE DRAWING THE LAKE DOWN AND THE DEBRIS IS MOVING DOWN AND THE WIND IS PUSHING IT BACK AND IT'S JUST PARCHED ON OUR BEACH.

>> TAYLOR SAID HE ONLY HAS ONE OTHER FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE AND IT MUST HAVE BEEN A LONG CLEANUP.

>> IT NEVER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN DONE IN TIME FOR MINUTE TO ENJOY JUNE, JULY, THE BUSY MONTHS THAT WE HAVE.

THE BEACH WOULD HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE.

NO ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TO THE WATER VERY EASILY.

>> TAYLOR SAID EMPLOYEES FROM FIVE OTHER STATE PARKS WERE HERE AT LAKE TENKILLER TO HELP WITHIN A DAY.

>> THEY STAYED REALLY, REALLY BUSY, AND I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED.

I THINK ALL OF -- I THANKED ALL OF THEM AS MUCH AS I COULD.

IT WAS IMPRESSIVE THE EFFORT THEY PUT OUT.

>> THEY SAID THE GROUP GOT THINGS CLEARED UP IN A FEW DAYS AND THINGS WILL BEEN ROLLING HERE EVER SINCE.

>> WE'VE GOT A GOOD POPULATION OF SAND BASS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF SAND BASS FISHERMAN THAT LOVE IT, LOVE THE CREEKS COMING IN, A LARGE POPULATION OF CATFISH.

FLAT HEAD CATFISH, BLUE CATTISH, CHANNEL CATFISH.

>> DO YOU EVER SEE ANY ALLIGATORS?

>> NO, NEVER.

>> OVER AT SOUTH PLAINS STATE PARK IN ALFALFA COUNTY, 95 NORTHWEST OF OKLAHOMA CITY, HEAVY RAINS AND A COUPLE OF WATER SPOUTS EARLY ON JUNE 7 MANGLED THE ROOFS OF SEVERAL STRUCTURES AND UPROOTED SEVERAL LARGE TREES, INCLUDING SOUTH PLAINS PARK MANAGER HANNAH MILLER'S FAVORITE ELM TREE.

>> IT WAS, WHEN YOU PICTURE A TREE, EXACTLY WHAT YOU WOULD PICTURE.

A HUGE BIG STURDY LIMBS THAT CAME OUT, AND THE PERFECT CANOPY.

IT JUST COVERED THE WHOLE ENTIRE HILL WITH BEAUTIFUL SHADE, AND IT MADE HUGE IMPROVEMENT FOR WILDLIFE TO BE ABLE TO BUILD THEIR NESTS, YOU SEE RABBITS PLAYING UNDERNEATH IT, SQUIRRELS JUMPING FROM IT.

IT'S A BIG LOSS FOR ME PERSONALLY.

>> SHE SAID SHE'S STILL REELING FROM IT.

>> IT'S UNUSUAL FOR OUR AREA.

TYPICALLY THE STORMS SPLIT AND GO AROUND.

>> JESSE WORKS PART-TIME AT SOUTH PLAINS.

SHE RUSHED HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BACK IN JUNE.

>> IT FEELS CREED REALLY BECAUSE I NEVER EXPERIENCE THE SOMETHING LIKE THAT HERE.

THEY SAY THE WATER MAKES IT TO WHERE THEY DON'T HAPPEN HERE.

WHERE THEY DON'T HAPPEN HERE.

WE WERE -- WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE ANOTHER CREW COMING IN.

THEY SET UP TO GET US A NINE MAN CREW FOR TWO AND A HALF DAYS TO CLEAN EVERYTHING UP.

WE HAD SURE PEOPLE SEPARATING CHAINSAWS, THREE EQUIPMENT OPERATORS AND THEY WERE PICKING UP LIMBS AND STACKING LIMBS.

I THINK IT WAS A HUGE BLESSING TO US THAT THEY DID COME HAD IN AND HELP BECAUSE IF IT WAS JUST US HERE, IT WOULD HAVE TOOK A WHILE, PROBABLY MONTHS TO GET IT ALL CLEANED UP.

THERE WAS JUST TREES, BIG TREES JUST RIPPED OUT OF THE GROUND.

MILLER SAID WHILE ONLY THREE FEET KEITH, SOUTH PLAINS ENCOMPASSES 8700 ACRES, MAKING IT IDEAL FOR HIKING, FISHING AND CAMPING.

>> WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE OUR PARK.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE.

IT BRINGS LOTS OF TOURISTS TO THE AREA, IT SUPPLIES NINE JOBS THROUGH THE PARK SYSTEM ITSELF.

BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE PRETTIEST PLACES IN OKLAHOMA.

>> EARNEST PRIDE HAS WORKED AT SOUTH PLAINS FOR 23 YEARS.

HE SAID THOSE STORMS BACK IN JUNE LEFT THIS PLACE LOOKING LIKE A WAR ZONE.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A DEVASTATING STORM LIKE THIS, I MEAN, IT HELPS TO APPRECIATE IT.

AS SHORT STAFFED AS WE ALL ARE, IT'S HARD TO GET IT DONE.

WE'RE GLAD TO GET ALL THE HELP WE CAN.

>> MILLER SAID THE RICH HISTORY HERE WILL KEEP VISITORS COMING BACK.

>> IT COMES FROM A SEA THAT WAS OVER THIS ENTIRE AREA THAT EVAPORATED OUT AND LEFT A SALT DEPOSITOR.

>> REALLY?

A SEE FROM.

>> AN INLAND SEA FROM PREHISTORIC TIMES.

>> IT MAKES IT EVEN MORE INTERESTING TO ME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WELL GET ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT FOSSILS HERE AT THE STATE PARK.

>> BOTH PARK MANAGERS TOLD ME THIS COOPERATION BETWEEN STATE PARKS IS NEW AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

BILL TAYLOR TELLS ME THEY WERE AT 100% CAPACITY AT 4 OF JULY WEEKEND AND 90% CAPACITY AT CHEROKEE LANDING.

THE FOLKS AT SOUTH PLAINS SAY THEY WERE THREE QUARTERS FULL.

RICH?

>> THAT'S GREAT NEWS.

THANK YOU, STEVE.

GETTING A HOT COOKED MEAL IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT AT STATE PARKS AS WELL.

THE OKLAHOMA TOURISM AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IS CLOSING THE LOOKOUT KITCHEN RESTAURANTS AT ALL SIX LOCATIONS FOR FAILURE TO PAY MONEY THEY OWE THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO THE AGENCY THE COMPANY OWES THE STATE ALMOST $255,000.

THE ATRD SAID THEY WILL TRY TO PROVIDE FOOD TRUCKS TO MINIMIZE THE INCONVENIENCE.

>>> THE LONGEST TENURED ATHLETIC DIRECTOR IN THE COUNTRY IS STEPPING DOWN FROM HIS FULL TIME YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.

JOE HIRES FIVE STUDENTS AND USHERED IN THEM INTO THE MOST POWERFUL ATHLETIC CONFERENCE.

HE WILL RETIRE IN THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR BUT WILL RETAIN THE TITLE OF ATHLETIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS AND COULD BE INVOLVED IN THE FUTURE.

>> I STAND HERE TODAY IN MY 28th YEAR SERVING THIS GREAT UNIVERSITY, FEELING BOTH HUMBLED AND HONORED, SORT OF LIKE THAT SPRING AFTERNOON IN 1998 WHEN I WAS STANDING ON THE STEPS OF EVANS HALL BEING INTRODUCED AS THE 11th DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS IN OKLAHOMA'S HISTORY.

YOU SCAN ONLY IMAGINE THE RUSH OF EMOTIONS THAT MIGHT BE GOING THROUGH.

>> DURING HIS TIME OVER HALF OF THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OUR 135-YEAR HISTORY AS A UNIVERSITY HAVE BEEN EARNED.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEM, SINCE HIS ARRIVAL IN '98, WE'VE HAD 117 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS, 26 CONSECUTIVE BOWL APPEARANCES FOR FOOTBALL BY IS THE SECOND LONGEST STREAK IN THE COUNTRY.

MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, FIVE FINAL FOURS.

THE LIST IS REALLY LONG.

SOFTBALL HASN'T DONE BAD EITHER.

>> THAT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

PRIOR TO HIS HIRING, HE WAS THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.

WHILE OKLAHOMA'S TEACHERS ARE NOT TECHNICALLY IN THE CLASS RIM RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE DOING ALL SORTS OF THINGS TO PREPARE FOR THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS.

THIS YEAR THEY WILL BE FACING NEW CHALLENGES ALONG WITH SOME OF THE OLD ONES.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH KATHERYN AND HER EXPERTS.

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF THE DISCUSSION COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

>> I FEEL WE ARE STILL WORKING ON STAFFING.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT RURAL OKLAHOMA IT IS TOUGH TO DO THESE DAYS.

CHALLENGES LIKE HOUSING THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT OFF AIR EARLIER AND THE SCARCITY OF TEACHERS IN OKLAHOMA.

IN FACT, ON THE DRIVE DOWN HERE I GOT A REJECTION TAX BILL.

STAFFING IS ONE OF THE THINGS CLEANING THE BUILDINGS AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND JUST GETTING THINGS READY TO HAVE KIDS BACK.

WE WANT TO HAVE THE BEST FIT AND FOR US IT'S ABOUT HAVING GOOD PEOPLE.

THAT'S REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE'RE INTERESTED IN, IS HAVING GOOD PEOPLE.

WE CAN TEACH THEM HOW TO TEACH.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT WE CAN'T GOOD PEOPLE AND WE WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CULTURE THAT WE ARE BUILDING AT CLAIREMORE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DOORS BEING OPEN AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE KIDS AGAIN.

WE HAVE A FANTASTIC CULTURE.

EVERYBODY THERE LOVES TO SERVE KIDS.

THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> THE PERCENTAGE OF OLDER OKLAHOMANS IS CONTINUING TO GROW WHILE BIRTH RATES ARE CONTINUING TO FALL.

THOSE TWO FACTS CAN HAVE ALL SORTS OF IMPACTS FOR OUR STATE, AMONG THEM HIGHER HEALTHCARE COSTS AND A DIMINISHED WORKFORCE.

WITH MORE WHAT'S BEING DONE TO HELP OKLAHOMA AGE GRACEFULLY, WE ARE JOINED BY TAYLOR JACKSON.

TAYLOR.

>> THERE ARE MORE THAN 46 MILLION ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 65 IN THE U.S.. OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF THE STATES TO PUT PLANS IN PLACE TO DIRECT THE AGING POPULATION.

>> LAST YEAR HUMORSELVESES LAUNCHED A MULTI-YEAR PLAN CALLED AGING OUR WAY.

>> IT'S A MASTER PLAN ON AGING THAT WE ADOPTED, IT'S NOW THE MALTIER SECTOR OR THE BRAND THAT WE PUT ON IT, WHICH IS AGING OUR WAY.

IT'S TO ADDRESS, AGAIN, THAT INCOMING WAVE THAT'S GETTING READY TO COME.

THIS PLAN IS IS SURFBOARD TO THAT PLAY.

>> THE DIRECTOR OF AGING INITIATIVES, JOHNSON, SAID THE NUMBER OF ADULTS OVER THE AGEFUL 65 HAD OUT NUMBER THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

THEY HAVE TEN GOALS THEY FOCUS ON.

FOR EXAMPLE, WORKFORCE, TRANSPORTATION, WELLNESS AND CAREGIVERS.

>> NUTRITION, OF COURSE, AND I THINK THOSE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR THINGS THAT WE'RE REALLY FOCUSING ON AT THIS TIME, AND HOUSING, I FAILED TO MEMBERS THAT.

WHICH IS HUGE AS FAR AS AGAIN AFFORDABILITY, AND AGAIN, ACCESSIBILITY AS FAR AS HOW HOUSES ARE BUILT.

WE ARE BRINGING IN A LOT OF PARTNERS THAT CAN ADDRESS ALL THE THINGS, ALL THE GOALS.

>> JOHNSON SAID A LOT OF HARD WORK WENT INTO THE TEN-YEAR PLAN.

>> WE SPENT THE FIRST YEAR BASICALLY LAYING THE FOUNDATION.

THIS PLAN IS 100% PARTNER DRIVEN SO THERE'S NO FUNDING, THERE'S NO EXECUTIVE ORDER.

SO WE HAVE TO RELIE ON OUR STATE PARTNERS, WHICH IS WE ARE TRYING TO BRING ALL THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES UNDER ONE UMBRELLA, IF I CAN SAY IT THAT WAY.

>> ONE OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE YMCA, IS ENSURING OKLAHOMA SENIORS HAVE A PLACE TO STAY ACTIVE.

>> WE HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING PART OF THAT PLAN, DEVELOPMENT, ON SUBCOMMITTEES FOR WELLNESS AND SOCIAL CONNECTION.

AND ONE OF OUR FOCUSES OR THE PLANNED FOCUS IS CREATING HUBS FOR ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS.

>> THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTHY LIVING FOR THE YMCA SAID THE YMCA IS THE PERFECT HUB FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> AS WE AGE, ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS WE NEED TO DO IS TO CONTINUE TO DO EXERCISE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND TO PREVENT FALLS AND SOCIAL CONNECTION.

THAT PLAYS A BIG PART OF OUR HEALTH OUTCOME.

WHAT WE'VE DISCOVERED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IS SOCIAL CONNECTION OR ISOLATION IS ACTUALLY JUST AS DETRIMENTAL TO OUR HEALTH AS OBESITY AND TOBACCO USE.

>> SENIOR OKLAHOMANS CAN FIND NEW FRIENDSHIPS AND A GREAT WORKOUT AT ANY YMCA.

ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CITY, THOSE A 50 AND UP ARE ENJOYING HERE AT THE HEALTHY LIVING CENTER.

>> IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR PEOPLE TO GET STARTED IN FITNESS IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN BEFORE BUT IT'S A PERFECT PLACE TO MAKE A NEW FRIEND AND MAKE A SPECIAL CONNECTION.

THERE'S EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE A FRIEND IN A CLASS ARE MORE LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO COME.

SO IT IMPROVES YOUR HEALTH OUTCOME.

WE ALSO DON'T JUST DO FITNESS RELATED THINGS BUT A LOT OF OUR WIVES HOST PUBLIC DINNERS AROUND THANKSGIVING OR THEY HAVE HOLIDAY PARTIES AND DRESS UP.

>> IT HAS HELPED THESE SENIORS STAY ACTIVE.

>> I RETIRED ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO AND I NEEDED SOMETHING TO DO SO I DECIDED TO LEARN TO PLAY THIS GAME AND IT'S KIND OF TAKEN OVER MY LIFE.

>> THE STATE OF THE ART FACILITY IS FUND THROUGH THE MASTERY PROGRAM AND FEATURES AN ELEVATED INDOOR TRACK, POOL AND MUCH MORE.

THE OTHER HEALTHY LIVING CENTERS RL AT NORTH ROCKWELL AND LINCOLN BOULEVARD.

THE PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS OVER THE AGEFUL 65 HAS GROWN BY 43% SINCE THE YEAR 2000.

HE SAID EVERYONE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.

>> WE SHOULD ALL BE THINKING ABOUT AGING.

A LOT OF US AGAIN BEING YOUNGER WE THINK ABOUT THAT'S SO FAR OFF OR THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> THERE'S MUCH TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING FOR AN AGING ONE OR YOURSELF.

FOR EXAMPLE, CHOOSING IF YOUR LOVED ONE WILL LIVE WITH YOU AS THEY GET OLDER OR UTILIZE ASSISTED LIVING WHICH IS EXPENSIVE.

IT COSTS A LITTLE OVER $4,000 A MONTH AVERAGE.

CHANGES TO MEDICARE COVERAGE IS A CONSIDERATION FOR SENIORS AS WELL.

90% OF MEDICARE RECIPIENTS ARE AT LEAST 65 YEARS OLD.

JOHNSON SAID ONE OF THE MAIN CHALLENGES OKLAHOMANS FACE THAT ARE OLDER IS ACCESSIBILITY AND PROGRAMS.

>> ESPECIALLY OUR RURAL AREAS.

URBAN, AS WELL, BUT HUGE IN OUR RURAL AREAS AS FAR AS ISOLATION, LACK OF TRANSPORTATION.

YOU KNOW, THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE STUCK IN THEIR HOMES.

THEY NEED MEDICAL CARE, THEY NEED FOOD.

AND THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THOSE AREAS.

>> THE STATE WANTS TO ENSURE SENIORS IN THE STATE ARE AWARE OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

>> SO YOU CAN GO THROUGH -- A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE THERE, BUT WE ARE ALSO, OF COURSE, USING OUR AMBASSADORS AS FAR AS BRINGING THE WORD ON WHAT THE RESOURCES ARE.

WE'RE PLUGGED IN WITH THE TRIPLE A'S WHICH ARE THE AREA AGENCIES ON AGING.

WE ARE UTILIZING A LOT OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO GET THE WORD OUT AND US WORKING TOGETHER.

>> I WANT TO REITERATE THAT THIS IS A MULTI-YEAR PLAN SO THE STATE IS ACTIVELY WORKING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INITIATIVE.

RICH.

>> TAYLOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AN ACADEMIC TIP OF THE CAP TO THE UNIVERSITY.

THEIR 2025 GRADUATING SENIORS IN THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ARE PERFORMING EXTREMELY WELL IN THE PARAGAN BUSINESS EXAM, TAKEN BY GRADUATES AT MORE THAN 500 COLLEGES AROUND THE WORLD.

THEIR STUDENTS SCORED IN THE TOP 1% NATIONALLY ON THE TEST, OUT PERFORMING MORE THAN 83,000 STUDENTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

>>> THE STATE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED $75 MILLION TO HELP ALLEVIATE A BACKLOG OF PROJECTS EX-TO IMPROVE COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGES.

JASON HAS WHERE AND HOW THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT.

>> BOTH STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE SAYING THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE STORY AND COULD LADY TO IMPROVED ROADS AND BRIDGES IN COMING YEARS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN RETROFITTED FROM A WOOD DECK TO A METAL GREAT DECK ABOUT 10, 15 YEARS AGO.

>> IT'S ONE OF MORE THAN 1500 STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT COUNTY BRIDGES IN OKLAHOMA.

>> TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BRIDGE WE ARE TAKING A TOUR OF TODAY.

>> THIS IS AN OLD COUNTY BRIDGE BUILT IN 1912.

A LOT OF IT SERVED THE GAS FIELDS BACK IN THE DAY.

IT'S STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT, ONE WAY BRIDGE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

>> TULSA COUNTY WARD 1 COMMISSIONER, STANLEY, TOOK US ON A TOUR OF A COUPLE OF BRIDGES.

HE SAID THIS WILL TAKE $7 MILLION TO REPLACE.

AND DOWN THE ROAD ANOTHER ROAD IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT.

>> THIS BRIDGE IS OVER HOMINY CREEK NEAR HIGHWAY 11.

IT USED TO BE A WOOD DECK BRIDGE.

>> HE SAID IT'S CROSSING OVER HOMINY CREEK AND HAS SEEN BETTER DAYS.

>> BUT THERE ARE SOME GOOD LITTLE BANGUPS ON THESE.

IT TOOK QUITE A BIT TO TURN THAT, TO BUCKLE THAT AND THEN TO COME THROUGH HERE.

>> LEE HAS BEEN WORKING THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE NEED AT THE COUNTY LEVEL TO TAKE CARE OF ROADS AND BRIDGES, ESPECIALLY STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT BRIDGES.

>> THAT'S THE FOCUS THAT I HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN WITH OTHERS IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND TRYING TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE LEGISLATURE OF -- THE ENORMITY OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE, THE LACK OF FUNDING THAT COUNTIES HAVE ACROSS THE STATE TO ADDRESS THESE IN A TIMELY MANNER.

>> BOTH STATE AND COUNTIES IN RECENT YEARS HAVE LOWERED THE AMOUNT OF DEFICIENT BRIDGES BUT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION CAME OUT HERE IN JUNE.

OKLAHOMA IS RANKED FIFTH FOR THE MOST POOREST BRIDGES IN THE COUNTY.

THAT'S HIGHWAYS, TURN PIKES, CITIES, EVERYBODY.

BUT A BIG CHUNK OF THOSE ARE ON THE COUNTY SYSTEM.

WE STILL HAVE 1500 BRIDGES ON THE COUNTY SYSTEM IN POOR CONDITION.

>> CHRIS SCHROEDER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS OF OKLAHOMA.

HE SAID RISING PRICES AND LIMITED BUDGETS HAVE PROVIDED A ROADBLOCK TO REDUCING THE NUMBER OF BAD BRAINS.

>> THROUGH THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY SINCE COVID WE'VE SEEN THE PRICES OF MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION REALLY SKYROCKET.

COUNTIES ARE FUNDED PRIMARILY BY FUEL TAX, MOTOR VEHICLE FEES WHICH IS PAY YOUR TAG AND YOUR LICENSE.

AND WE'VE KIND OF SEEN THOSE FLATTEN OUT OVER TIME.

>> THE COMMISSIONER GREASE.

>> INFLATION HAS CAUGHT UP WITH A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS.

SOME OF THESE BRIDGES ARE OVER 7, 15, 20 MILLION AND A LOT OF GOVERNMENTS CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

>> THE SENATOR IS ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF THE HOUSE BILL 28 WHICH SETS UP AN ANNUAL PROGRAM OF $28 MILLION TO HELP COUNTIES CATCH UP WITH ROAD AND BRIDGE REPAIR, REPLACEMENT.

>> THIS IS AN APPORTION MEANT SO IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

$15MILLION WILL GO INTO THE FUND EVERY YEAR.

>> THE PLAN FOR THE $75 MILLION IS TO TAKE IT OUT IN TWO PARTS.

THE FIRST PART THE $50 MILLION WILL GO TO ROAD MAINTENANCE AROUND DIFFERENT COUNTIES IN OKLAHOMA.

THE SECOND PART, $25 MILLION, WILL GO TO COUNTY BRIDGES.

SOME OF THOSE BRIDGES THAT NEED A LOT OF HELP ARE RIGHT HERE IN TULSA COUNTY.

>> WE HAVE THE BRIDGES IDENTIFIED, AND THIS WAY THE MONEY IS GOING AFTER SPECIFIC BRIDGES.

SO THAT YOU ARE FOCUSING ON THE PROJECT, NOT JUST SENDING MONEY TO A COUNTY.

>> THE ROAD FUNDING IN THIS PROGRAM WILL WORK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE BRIDGE PORTION.

>> THIS WILL BE GOING TO COUNTIES THAT ARE RECEIVING LESS THAN $4,000 A MILE FOR THEIR ROADS, YOU KNOW, FOR REPAIR, CONSTRUCTION, THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

SO 43 DIFFERENT COUNTIES OUT OF OUR 77 WILL BE RECEIVING ADDITIONAL FUNDS EACH YEAR TO BRING THEM UP TO THAT $4,000 A MILE LEVEL.

>> IF THE COUNTY ALREADY RECEIVES $4,000 A MILE FROM THE STATE, IT WON'T RECEIVE THE FUNDS FOR ROADS.

>> BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT BOTH OF THESE PROGRAMS, EVERY COUNTY IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THIS, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S GOING TO MAKE OUR ROADS AND OUR BRIDGES SAFER.

>> THE BROKEN ARROW STATE SENATOR ENCOURAGES THE DRIVING PUBLIC TO BE PATIENT WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER THESE PROJECTS.

>> IT'S FRUSTRATING OBVIOUSLY HAD YOU ARE SEEING DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION TAKING PLACE, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT IS -- WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, WE'RE ADDRESSING SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

THOSE ROADS ARE ALL IMPORTANT.

SOME MIGHT HAVE 10,000 CARS A DAY AND SOME 200 CARS A DAY BUT FOR THE 200 CARS A DAY IT COULD BE AGRICULTURE, IT COULD BE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, IT COULD BE A SCHOOL BUS ROUTE.

THEY ARE ALL IMPORTANT AND THEY ARE ALL IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMY OF OKLAHOMA.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO FIX THESE BRIDGES BEFORE WE HAVE TO SHUT THEM DOWN.

>> HE SAID NOW THAT THIS $75 MILLION ROAD AND BRIDGE PROGRAM IS REALITY, HE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AROUND THE STATE ARE GOING TO GET TO WORK.

>> IT WON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

IF IT TAKES TEN, FIFTEEN YEARS, SOBEIT BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIX THE BRIDGES.

>> HE IS THANKFUL TO THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS FOR PUSHING THE PROGRAM THROUGH.

>> THIS COULD BE THE MIDWEST IMPACTFUL INVESTMENT FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT THE LEGISLATURE MADE AND THANK THE GOVERNOR STITT FOR SIGNING THIS.

>> THE NEW PROGRAM IS IN ADDITION TO THE FUND BEING THE STATE PROVIDES TO FUNDING THROUGH THE COUNTY IMPROVEMENT FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES.

IT'S A MIX OF STATE, FEDERAL AND TRIBAL DOLLARS.

THE OKLAHOMA TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT DECIDES WHICH PROJECTS ARE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR FUNDING IN BOTH PROGRAMS.

>>> NOW OUR WEEKLY STATEWIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

OUR TOP STORY THIS WEEK -- IT'S A HISTORIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP.

THE PLAN IS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE OSU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TO DEVELOP TRAINING FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS, FOCUSING ON RENEWABLE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT REMEDIATION AND UTILITY DEVELOPMENT.

THEYED IS TO TRAIN POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES FOR THE GROWING SEGMENT.

THERE'S A LEAD INVESTMENT INTO A FIBER SECURITY COMPANY SPECIALIZING IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

THEY HAVE DEVELOPED A SOLUTION THAT DEVELOPS ASSET INVENTORY AND ASSESSES THE POSSIBLE THREATS AND SHOWS CLIENTS WHERE THEY CAN TAKE ACTION TO SECURE SYSTEMS.

THEY ARE COMMERCIALIZING THEIR PLATFORM THAT CAN HELP WARD OFF CYBER BASED ATTACKS BY ENTITIES.

>>> THERE'S A QUARTERLITIVE TEND THIS WEEK.

SHAREHOLDERS OF THE OKLAHOMA COMPANY WILL RECEIVE 38 CENTS A SHARE IF THEY HAVE THE STOCK IN THEIR PORTFOLIO BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON JULY 24th, INVESTORS WILL RECEIVE THE PAYMENT ON AUGUST 7th.

THEY WILL RELEASE THEIR QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS ON AUGUST 6th.

OKLAHOMA BUSINESS DAYSED MOCK RESOURCES IS GROWING BY PURCHASING OIL AND GAS IN THE SAN JUAN BASIS.

THEY HAVE THE MAJORITY OF ASSETS IN THE MID CONTINENT REGION.

IT IS WORTH $1.2 BILLION.

AND ADD 700 ACRES TO MOK'S HOLDING.

THEY ARE EXPECTED TO CLOSE ON THE ASSETS THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

TULSA BASE GRAY STONE LOGISTICS HAS COMPLETED A STOCK BUY BACK PROGRAM PURCHASING MORE THAN A MILLION SHARES.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS CONSIDERING AN EXTENSION TO THE PROGRAM IN THE FUTURE.

IT WAS INITIATED TO GIVE SHAREHOLDERS MORE AVAILABLE.

GRAY STONE LOGISTICS IS THE LEADING MANUFACTURER OF 100% RECYCLED PAT LOTS.

>>> OKLAHOMA THUNDER SHAY WILL BE ON THE NBA VIDEO GAME.

HE WAS SELECTED.

FORMER THUNDER PLAYER CARMELO ANTHONY IS ALSO ON THE COVER IN THE SUPERSTAR EDITION AND ANGEL REESE OF THE CHICAGO SKY WILL BE ON WNBA EDITION.

ALL THREE PLAYERS WILL ADORN THE LEAVE NO DOUBT OF THE VIDEO GAME WHICH IS AVAILABLE IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHERE OKLAHOMA EDUCATORS ARE PREPARING FOR THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR NOW LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AWAY.

ADMINISTRATORS ARE HIRING PERSONNEL AND TEACHERS ARE PREPARING FOR NEW CHALLENGES.

AMONG THEM A FIRST EVER STATEWIDE BAN ON THE USE OF STUDENT CELL PHONES.

TO DISCUSS THE PREPARATIONS HERE IS CASSIE WITH THE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION.

CASSIDY.

>> JOINING US IS KYLE REYNOLDS, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SAILING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE JOINED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT, THIS IS MY FATHER.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FOR MANY DISTRICTS.

WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE ARE PREPARING FOR THIS YEAR, KYLE?

>> WE ARE STILL WORKING ON STAFFING.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS IN RURAL AMERICA AND RURAL OKLAHOMA THAT IS TOUGH TO DO THESE DAYS.

THERE ARE CHALLENGES LIKE HOUSING THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT OFF AIR EARLIER AND THE SCARCITY OF TEACHERS IN OKLAHOMA.

ON THE DRIVE DOWN HERE I GOT A REJECTION TEXT.

STAFFING IS ONE OF THE THINGS, CLEANING THE BUILD, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND GETTING THINGS READY TO GET KIDS BACK.

>> HOW MANY TEACHERS DO WE NEED RIGHT NOW?

>> ONE.

I'LL TAKE ONE.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A SCIENCE TEACHER.

>> WHAT GRADES?

>> UPPER LEVEL.

>> UPPER LEVEL SCIENCE TEACHER, OKAY.

>> WE CAN BE FLEXIBLE.

IF YOU CAN GET UPPER LEVEL THIS YOU CAN MOVE SOMEBODY AROUND OR YOU GET THIS TEACHER, MAYBE HAVE SOMEBODY ON STAFF THAT CAN MOVE AROUND.

WE HAVE TO BE CREATIVE THESE DAYS.

BUG THE INTERESTING THING IS A LOT OF TIMES A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I TALK ABOUT INTERLEAVING VEHICLES FOR JOBS THAT TEN, FIFTEEN YEARS AGO WE WOULDN'T HAVE CONSIDERED.

SOMETIMES WE'RE IN THAT POSITION BECAUSE THE POOL IS JUST NOT DEEP.

WHEN I STARTED IN THE MID '90s, IF YOU GOT A JOB YOU WERE LUCKY.

THERE MIGHT BE TWELVE OR FIFTEEN PEOPLE LINED UP FOR ONE JOB.

>> NOW IT'S TWELVE OR FIFTEEN PEOPLE TURNING DOWN THE JOB BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES WE ARE FACING.

YOU KNOW WELL IN YOUR POSITION NOW YOU ARE USED TO MOVING TEACHERS AROUND TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS JUST TO GET THE ROLES FILLED.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?

>> IT'S TRUE.

IN THE LAST THREE, FOUR YEARS, THAT BALANCE HAS BEEN SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH EVER SO SLIGHTLY.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE CREATIVITY YOU NEED TO HAVE SOMETIMES AND THE FLEXIBILITY YOU NEED TO HAVE SOMETIMES TO GET THOSE POSITIONS FILLED.

IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH EITHER THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY WALK IN THE DOOR.

THEY CAN TEACH THIS, THIS OR THIS ACCORDING TO THEIR CERTIFICATE BUT YOU HAVE AN OPENING OVER HERE AND THEY COULD TEACH THIS.

A THIRD PERSON COMES IN AND CAN TEACH THIS, AND THEN -- >> JUST MANAGING AND BALANCING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS JUST TO GET TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM?

>> YEAH, AND YOU WANT TO HAVE THE BEST FIT.

FOR US I KNOW FOR US IT'S ABOUT HAVING GOOD PEOPLE.

THAT'S REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE ARE INTERESTED IN.

WE HAVE GOOD PEOPLE.

WE CAN TEACH THEM HOW TO TEACH, BUT WE WANT GOOD PEOPLE.

WE WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CULTURE THAT WE'RE BUILDING AT CLAIREMOR MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> SOME DO HIRE ON THE SPOT EVENTS, DO YOU DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT?

ARE THE PEOPLE CAREFULLY VETTED OR IS IT JUST WE NEED PEOPLE IN THE DOORS NOW?

>> IN RURAL OKLAHOMA THERE AREN'T A LOT OF THOSE JOB FARES GOING ON BUT WE DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE AS WE ARE CHECKING OUT THOSE TEACHERS AND NOT JUST CALLING THE REFERENCES ON PAPER BUT WE ARE CALLING FOLKS WE KNOW BECAUSE EDUCATION IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.

WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE.

BUT EVERY TEACHER GOES THROUGH A BACKGROUND CHECK.

THAT'S THOROUGH.

THOROUGH TO THE POINT WE HAD A BACKGROUND CHECK COME BACK THAT I WAS GETTING READY TO SEND THE TEACHER HOME, AND THAT WAS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT HAD HAPPENED IN THE PAST THAT WAS EXPUNGED FROM THEIR RECORD THROUGH A PLEA AGREEMENT WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

I SAID HOW AM I SEEING THIS?

AND THE D. A.

SAID THAT'S A THOROUGH BACKGROUND CHECK.

>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

THAT MAKES ME HAPPY.

IF I HAD KIDS I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

DAVID, HOW ABOUT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TEACHING, HIRING, WHAT ELSE ARE YOU GETTING READY FOR?

>> BESIDES TEACHING AND HIRING?

>> YES.

>> A LOT IS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS ALL SUMMER LONG.

WE HAVE -- WE'RE PROFESSIONAL IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE SEND GROUPS OF TEACHERS OUT TO DEVELOP THOSE SKILLS AT BEING A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY.

SOLUTION TREE IS A COMPANY WE DO A LOT OF OUR TRAINING WITH SO THEY CAN LEARN HOW TO ENGAGE IN WORKING WITH DATA AND LETTING THAT DATA GUIDE THEIR TEACHING.

LETTING THE STUDENTS' NEEDS GUIDE THEIR TEACHING RATHER THAN DOING THINGS THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

A LOT OF THE TEACHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE '70s, '80s, 09s, I TEACH THIS WAY AND KIDS HAVE TO HIM COULD TO ME.

>> AND JUST DEAL WITH IT.

WE KNOW IT DOESN'T WORK.

>> SOMETIMES IT DIDN'T WORK.

BUT THE THING IS, SINCE IT'S NOT WORKING THAT WAY, WE'RE COMING AT IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND WHERE WE LET THE DATA, WHAT IS WORKING, GUIDE THE TEACHING.

>> EXCELLENT.

>> IF WE HAVE SOMEBODY IN THE BUILDING WHO IS DOING SOMETHING PARTICULARLY WELL, WE WANT TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO THEM AND SAY WHY ARE YOU SO GOOD AT TEACHING THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT.

>> AND WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM YOU.

IT'S A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

>> IT IS.

>> I WILL SAY THIS, THE TEACHERS ARE UNPAID WORKING OVER THE SUMMER.

I GREW UP WITH YOU ETCHING TOO MY ENTIRE LIFE AND YOU HAD THREE JOBS, ALWAYS WORKING AND MAYBE EVEN NOT GETTING PAID DURING THE SUMMER.

DO YOU THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW TEACHERS ARE WORKING OVER THE SUMMER EVERY DAY DURING SCHOOL, ON BREAKS, DO WE THINK PEOPLE REALIZE HOW HARD TEACHERS ARE WORKING?

>> HIGHLY UNLIKELY.

WE HEAR IT TOO OFTEN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DO UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE KNOW A TEACHER OR SOMEONE CLOSE TO A TEACHER BUT ALL TOO OFTEN YOU HEAR, MAN, I WISH I HAD SUMMERS OFF AND THE TEACHERS GO I WISH I DID TOO.

AND THEY ARE MOWING DURING THE SUMMER OR GOING TO P. E. BECAUSE THE INSTITUTE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT IN TULSA, THAT WAS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS IN OKLAHOMA TO GEL TO PLC INSTITUTE IN TULSA AND CEILING WAS THERE TOO AND THEY WILL BE IN JULY AS WELL.

>> IT'S ALL-YEAR-AROUND WORK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WITH THE STATEWIDE CELL PHONE BAN IN EFFECT, HOW DO YOU THINK WE ARE GOING TO MANAGE THAT IN A CLASSROOM?

>> WE'VE SEEN SOME OF OUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE ALREADY IMPLEMENTEDDED THAT.

IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA MIDWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL IMPLEMENTED IT EARLIER THIS YEAR.

WE ORDERED LOCKERS NOT TO STORE THE STUDENTS' CELL PHONES ALL THE TIME.

THAT'S A STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY.

WE DON'T WANT TO SEE IT DURING THE DAY.

WE HAVE PROCEDURES WE ARE IMPLEMENTING.

IN FACT, NEXT MONDAY WE WILL TAKE THE CELL PHONE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO OUR SCHOOL BOARD.

BUT IT'S A MATTER WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN THE KIDS PUSH US.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN THEY BRING IT IN, HAVE IT OUT.

>> BECAUSE THEY WILL.

YOU WERE MY PRINCIPAL IN SCHOOL AND WE DID THAT STUFF TOO.

>> YOU WILL HAVE THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB.

WE KNOW BECAUSE OUR FRIENDS HAVE ALREADY DONE IT, OUR COLLEAGUES AROUND THE STATE, THAT IT'S ENFORCEABLE.

>> THERE'S A PATH TO IT.

>> HAS TON CONSISTENT AND ACROSS THE BOARD.

BUT IT'S A BANDAID ON A MUCH LARGER ISSUE.

YOUR DAD AND I ARE DIGITAL IMMIGRANTS.

WE WERE BORN AND GREW UP AND THEN THE TECHNOLOGY HAPPENED.

WE HAD KIDS AND WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TEACH OUR KIDS TO USE TECHNOLOGY.

>> WE DIDN'T KNOW.

>> AND OUR KIDS ARE HAVING KIDS AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO TEACH THEM TO USE TECHNOLOGY AND THERE ARE HUGE PROBLEMS.

WE ARE REALLY NOT USING KIDS HOW TO USE TECHNOLOGY RESPONSIBLY.

WE ARE JUST SAYING IT DON'T USE IT DURING SCHOOL HOURS SO WE AREN'T SOLVING THE LARGER PROBLEM.

>> THERE'S MORE TO IT.

IT'S INTERESTING.

IT'S JUST DON'T DO IT BUT THEY WILL DO IT ANYWAY AND HOW DO WE TEACH THEM TO DO IT SAFELY AND RESPECTFULLY.

.

>> THE 2027 EXPANSE ON THE PROBLEM OF CHILDREN OF LONG SERVING TEACHERS, DO YOU THINK THIS WILL HELP WITH BRINGING MORE TEACHERS IN AND/OR RETENTION RATES?

WE COULD HAVE BENEFITED OFF THIS WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE.

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL HELP PEOPLE NOW?

>> FOR THOSE TEACHERS WHO HAVE INVESTED THE YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AND THEY HAVE KIDS, THAT WILL BE A HUGE BENEFIT TO THEM THAT THEY HAVE ONE, TWO, THREE KIDS.

IT'S GOING TO BE -- IT WILL BE A HUGE BENEFIT FOR THEM TO STAY IN THE PROFESSION AND KEEP INVESTING IN THE PROFESSION.

>> TO STAY IN OKLAHOMA.

>> INVEST IN OKLAHOMA'S KIDS AND THEIR KIDS WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL.

>> AND IT KEEPS THE WHOLE BIG THING MOVING.

>> AND THE 1087 RACE TO SCHOOL IN -- AND WE ARE IN RURAL OKLAHOMA AND WE HAVE SEVERE WEATHER, HOW WILL IT WORK?

>> IT'S A BUMMER.

WE TALKED SO LONG ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, TO BE HONEST, WE COMPETED IN THREE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THREE SPORTS THIS YEAR, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL AND SLOW PITCH.

HONESTLY, WE USED A VIRTUAL DAY HERE AND THERE TO LET OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STAFF AND OUR COMMUNITY ATTEND THOSE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS AND FEEL LIKE WE WERE STILL HOLDING OUR STUDENTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR LEARNING.

AND NUMBER TWO, THE WEATHER DAYS IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA, A LOT OF -- NOT A LOT OF TREES TO STOP THE MOISTURE WHEN IT'S COMING DOWN, AND IT HAPPENS.

WE CAN PLAN FOR THOSE THINGS LIKE THE DAY BEFORE WE KNOW IT'S COMING AND, KIDS, TAKE HOME YOUR STUFF.

TAKE HEM YOUR CHROME BOOK, LET'S GET READY FOR IT.

>> SOMETIMES IT JUST COMES IN THOUGH.

>> THAT'S NOT TO SAY WE SHOULDN'T HAVE SOME SNOW DAYS BUILT IN, BUT TO THINK VIRTUAL DAYS ARE JUST BEING ABUSED, MAYBE THEY ARE BEING ABUSED HERE AND THERE BUT TO THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER AND SAY NOBODY CAN DO IT NOW, I THOUGHT IT WAS SILLY PERSONALLY.

BUT WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR CALENDAR NOW TO ADD A DAY BECAUSE OF HOW IT ALL PLAYED OUT.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION IS KIND OF INTERESTING BUT RYAN WALTERS SAID SCHOOLS MUST FULLY FUND STUDENT MEALS LAST YEAR WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.

HOW DID YOU FIND ABOUT IT AND YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THE WAY WE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT, SOME OF OUR PARENTS CONTACTED THE SCHOOL TO NOTIFY THAT THEY RECEIVED THIS EMAIL.

SO OUR SUPERINTENDENT WENT AND LOOKED AT HIS EMAIL AND HE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

SO I KNOW THAT AS FAR AS CLA REMORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS GO WE HAD FOLLOW THE LAW.

IT STIPULATES HOW THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT AND STIPULATES HOW MONEY CAN BE SPENT IN REGARDS TO ADMINISTERS' SALARIES AND THAT TYPE OF THING.

SO WE FOLLOW THE LAW IN EVERY OTHER REGARD AND WE WILL KEEP DOING WHAT WE DO AND WE WILL SERVE KIDS THE BEST WAY WE KNOW HOW.

>> KYLE?

>> SAME THING.

I FOUND OUT THROUGH A COLLEAGUE, A SUPERINTENDENT WHO HAS KIDS IN SCHOOL, OTHERWISE WE WOULDN'T HAVE NO ONE OTHER THAN THROUGH A THIRD PARTY.

I FEEL THE WAY THE MESSAGE WAS PUT OUT WAS INCREDIBLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND DIVISIVE BECAUSE IT PITS PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY AGAINST SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

BECAUSE IT MAKES IT SOUNDS LIKE IF YOU JUST CUT YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, YOU CAN PAY FOR THIS, AND THAT IS NOT TRUE.

WE ARE BLESSED BECAUSE WE ARE OFF THE STATE FUNDING FORMULA SO IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR US TO DO THAT THAN IS A LOT OF SCHOOLS.

MY PREVIOUS SCHOOL IN WOODWARD, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, IT JUST IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

DO WE WANT KIDS TO EAT AND SHOULD ALL KIDS EAT FOR FREE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND THERE WAS LEGISLATION THIS YEAR THAT WOULD HAVE DONE THAT AND THE LEGISLATURE DIDN'T GET IT DONE, DIDN'T GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

ST MESSAGE AND THE WAY IT WAS COMMUNICATED WAS IRRESPONSIBLE HOW THAT WAS DONE.

SO, YEAH, THE INTENT IS OUT THERE THAT WE SHOULD BE FEEDING KIDS AND WE SHOULD BE FEEDING KIDS HEALTHY MEALS.

>> WHAT IS THE STATE FUNDING FORMULA?

YOU SAID THE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS IS OFF OF THAT.

>> THE WAY IT'S SET UP IS THE MORE LOCAL REVENUE YOU GET, THE LESS STATE REVENUE YOU GET.

WHEN IT COMES TO A POINT YOU GET SO MUCH LOCAL REVENUE, YOU HAVE INDUSTRY, OIL AND GAS, WIND TURBINES, THOSE THINGS THAT STAND UP OUT THERE ARE WORTH SOMETHING AND THEN THE STATE CUTS YOU OFF AND ONLY PAY FOR CERTAIN THINGS LIKE THE INSURANCE THAT TEACHERS GET, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO YOU BASICALLY GET CUT OFF FROM THE STATE.

YOU STILL RECEIVE FEDERAL DOLLARS AND THAT'S TO MAKE IT EQUITABLE.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN THE STATE THAT THEY ARE OFF THE STATE FUNDING FORMULA SO THEY ARE FUNDED LOCALLY, WHICH IS A GREAT THING BECAUSE THE STATE THEN PUTS MORE OF THOSE DOLLARS INTO THE REST OF THE SCHOOLS.

>> DAVID, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD TO THAT?

>> I MEAN, THAT'S THE CORRECT DEFINITION THERE.

THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE OFF THE FORMULA, THEY HAVE A LOT MORE FREEDOM, HOW TO DECIDE TO SPEND THEIR MONEY.

THE SCHOOLS ON THE FORMULA, THEY HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF THAT MONEY IN CERTAIN WAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE LIKE BUCKETS.

THEY DELIVER THE MONEY BUT THEY ARE ALL THIS BUCKETS AND THEY SAY THIS IS HOW THIS MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT, THIS IS HOW THIS MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT, THIS IS HOW THIS MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT.

SO TO SAY WE HAVE FLEXIBILITY, WE HAVE FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THIS BUCKET AND FLEXIBILITY WITH THIS MONEY WITHIN THIS BUCKET.

SO IT'S NOT JUST THIS -- >> NOT JUST FREE MONEY FOR ALL SCHOOLS TO GET A HOLD OF.

>> SCHOOLS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS LESS THAN 5% OR WHATEVER THE LIMBS ARE BASED ON YOUR -- LIMITS ARE PACED ON YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> WE'RE ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

GENTLEMEN, ANY FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE TOPIC AND IS THERE ANYTHING YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SCHOOL YEAR?

DAVID, START WITH YOU.

>> I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DOORS BEING OPEN AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE KIDS AGAIN.

WE HAVE A FANTASTIC CULTURE AT OUR SCHOOL.

EVERYBODY THERE LOVES TO SERVE KIDS.

>> AWESOME.

>> THAT'S THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD.

>> IT IS.

KYLE?

>> WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR WITH THE STAFF DEVELOPMENT THAT WE ARE DOING.

DAVID WAS TALKING ABOUT PLC.

WE LAID THE GROUND WORK WITH OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM THE DAY AFTER GRADUATION AND WE GOT STAFF THAT ARE GOING TO THOSE INSTITUTES AND WE ARE KICKING OFF THE VERY FIRST DAY HAD STAFF COME BACK WITH A BIG OTHER-RAW IN TRAINING.

WE WILL GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A FANTASTIC EDUCATION.

>> IT WILL BE AN EXCITING YEAR.

>> ONLINE?

>> YEP.

>> WE WILL HAVE IT UP ON THE BOTTOM.

THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THE CONVERSATION.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU >> REALLY INFORMATIVE, GREAT STUFF.

THERE ARE FEW PLACES IN AMERICA WHERE YOU CAN GROW FOOD OUTDOORS ALL YEAR LONG.

WYOMING IS NOT ONE OF THEM BUT WITH THE GROWING TREND OF HYDROPONIC FARMING, THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM.

WE WILL TRAVEL TO THE EQUALITY STATE AND SEE HOW STUDENTS AT CENTRAL WYOMING UNIVERSITY ARE LEARNING HOW TO GROW LEAFY GREENS INDOORS TWELVE MONTHS A YEAR.

THAT'S COURTESY OF OUR FRIENDS AT WYOMING PBS.

♪ ♪ >> ESPECIALLY WITH THE SHORT GROWING SEASON HERE IT'S REALLY COOL TO EXPLORE THE NEW TECHNIQUES SO WE CAN GROW FOOD YEAR AROUND.

>> SO MUCH OF THE UNITED STATES IS IN HOSPITABLE TO GROWING PLANTS IN THE WINTER.

WE BRING IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AND WE CAN PRODUCE A LOT OF THINGS YEAR AROUND USING THIS TECHNOLOGY THAT HELPS THE GAP IN THE SUPPLY COMMUNITY WITH PRODUCE THROUGH THE WINTER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU GUYS REMEMBER THE WICKY STRIP IN IT WAS LIKE THE FIRST STRIP, WASN'T IT?

DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT SIDE THE TOP IS?

BECAUSE YOU WANT THE TOP TO OVERLAP ABOUT AN INCH, ABOUT LIKE THAT.

>> HYDROPONIC FARMING IS THE USE OF WATER WITH DISSOLVED NEWT REPRESENTS IN IT TO -- NUTRIENTS IN IT TO GROW PLANTS.

WE AREN'T USING SOIL, WE ARE USING THE HYDROPONIC GROW MEDIA.

WE PUT IT IN A GROW PLUG.

IT'S A SPUNKY TYPE OF MATERIAL.

THAT LITTLE PLUG GETS THINGS STARTED AND HAS THE STRUCTURE FOR THE ROOTS AND WATER HOLDING CAPACITY.

>> WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT GROWING HYDROPONICALLY IS THE APPRECIATE PRODUCE YOU GET IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER IN WYOMING.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN GET HERE VERY EASILY.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT JUST ANYBODY HAS ACCESS TO AND TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY IS AMAZING.

>> TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE YEAR AROUND VERY CONSISTENTLY HAS BEEN A BIG SHIFT IN THE MARKET.

>> TO GROW HYDROPONIC PRODUCE, ESPECIALLY THE GREENS THAT ARE SUPER TENDER BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET EXPOSED TO WIND AND WEATHER AND STUFF.

>> CURRENTLY WE HAVE A LOT OF LEAFY GREENS, LET PEACE AND BASIL AND PLANTED PEACE TO SEE IF THEY TAKE OVER THE FARM WITH THEIR CRAZY VINING THAT THEY DO.

>> I HAVE NOTICED A BIG DIFFERENCE IN TEXTURE.

IT WAS MORE TENDER THAN YOUR TYPICAL KALE YOU WOULD GROW OUT THIS A FIELD.

>> IT IS MORE TENDER.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THE LETTUCE IS VERY SOFT AND BUTTERY.

>> IT'S GOOD.

>> THE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS OF THIS FARM ARE PRETTY ASTOUNDING.

YOU JUST MONITOR IT.

YOU JUST KIND OF MAKE SURE IT'S NOT GOING OFF THE RAILS.

>> EVERY VARIABLE THAT AFFECTS PLANT GROWTH IS CONTROLLED TO SOME EXTENT.

>> IT'S DAYTIME IN THE FARM AND DAYTIME IS WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON AND IRRIGATION HAPPENS, EVERYTHING IS GOING ON.

>> AS CONTROLLED AS IT IS, THERE'S NOT EVEN ANY SUNLIGHT IN THERE.

IT'S A SHIPPING CONTAINER AND THE LIGHT IS PROVIDED BY LED PANELS.

WORKING IN GREENHOUSES FOR YEARS, IT'S DICTATED BY THE SUN.

THIS IS NOT.

YEARS' WORTH OF RESEARCH HAS BEEN PUT INTO WHAT'S THE BEST LIGHT THEY NEED, AND YOU CAN ADJUST ITS LEVELS DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU ARE GROWING.

WHAT OUR MAIN GOAL IS IS EDUCATING PEOPLE ON HOW TO DO THIS.

SO IF THAT TAKES SOME TRIAL AND ERROR, GREAT.

>> I THINK WE ARE WELL-POSITIONED TO BE TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORKFORCE.

>> WITH FARMING I WOULD LIKE TO OWN MY OWN SMALL FARM ONE DAY, AND A HYDROPONIC FARM ADDS A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION TO ALL OF THAT.

>> IT'S HELPING ME LEARN HOW TO GROW IN A SMALLER AREA OR THE HYDROPONIC WAY OF GROWING.

>> THIS IS A DEVELOPING INDUSTRY.

IT'S SOMETHING WE ARE TRYING TO BE ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF.

BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT FOOD SECURITY.

BEING ABLE TO ROUSE FOOD FOR A COMMUNITY -- TO PRODUCE FOOD FOR A COMMUNITY NEXT TO WHERE WE LIVE IS PRETTY CRITICAL.

NOT TO MENTION GETTING FRESH PRODUCE INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, IT'S BEEN A BANNER YEAR FOR OUR STATE'S CAPITOL CITY.

WE WILL DETAIL THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS FOR THE FUTURE IN THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY PRESENTATION.

HE REPORTS FRIDAY AT 7:00.

WE WILL SAY SO LONG WITH A LOOK AT THE GARDENS IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONSENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE EOTA.TV.

OETA TV.

FOR ALL OF US PLAYING A ROLE ONLY PUTTING ON THE NEWSCAST EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪ ♪