Gov. Kevin Stitt called for the elimination of an association responsible for governing high school athletics in Oklahoma during his recognition of Norman Public Schools for accepting open transfers in his final State of the State address on Monday.
Stitt, a Norman High School graduate, highlighted the district’s willingness to accept transfers, celebrating its high number of new students each year.
“I want to shout out Norman Public Schools for accepting open transfer with open arms,” Stitt said. “They’ve remained number one year after year for accepting new students into their district.”
Senate Bill 783 was enacted in March 2021 and allows students to transfer to any public school district in the state up to two times per school year as long as a student has no disciplinary issues, according to the Oklahoma Senate website.
Stitt gave his thoughts on the issues athletes face when they transfer districts and pointed the blame toward the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, or OSSAA, the governing body for high school athletics in the state.
“A student can transfer to a new school, but if they want to excel in athletics, their opportunity may be blocked by an unelected and unaccountable high school sports association — the OSSAA,” Stitt said in the address.
Thirteen members of the OSSAA’s 15-member board of directors are elected by member schools among a pool of nominated candidates, according to the OSSAA constitution. Two members are appointed.
Stitt mentioned the financial struggle families faced when trying to transfer for athletic reasons, and he said the organization should be eliminated to ensure open transfer progress.
“Last year, we heard stories of students who followed the rules and did everything right to transfer schools,” Stitt said. “The (OSSAA) denied them the chance to play basketball at their new school. Their parents had to hire a lawyer and go to court just to get to play at their new school.”
This story was edited by Natalie Armour and Macey Thaxton. Andrew Paredes and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
