The Norman Public Schools Board of Education approved equipment purchases for district-wide use and heard public comment regarding State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ decision to require the Bible in Oklahoma public schools use during its Monday meeting.
NPS Superintendent Nick Migliorino announced last week that the district will not follow Walters’s guidance requiring Oklahoma teachers to incorporate the Bible, including the Ten Commandments, into their lessons.
Norman resident Meagan Bolton thanked Migliorino for rejecting Walters’ decision. Bolton, who said she was a Christian and has two children attending NPS, said requiring the curriculum goes against what the U.S. founders wanted for the country.
“I love God, and that’s my faith,” Bolton said. “Ryan Walters’ mandate makes it so that teachers and students who may not be Christians or may not have any faith or…may believe something different are going to be essentially forced to learn something they may not believe in, in a way that makes that faith a priority. That is not what our founders of this country wanted.”
Board member Dawn Brockman also said, “I’m proud of my superintendent."
During the meeting, the board approved a purchase request for software maintenance for district wide use from N2Y, a special education software program that aims to provide technology-forward and age-appropriate curriculum.
The board also approved a purchase request for playground equipment for Eisenhower Elementary from Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
During the public comments, Bolton thanked the board for funding the equipment.
“I wanted to say thank you for your support of our kids in all the different ways that you do,” Bolton said. “Funding is one of those, and funding things that our kids need.”
The board approved all agreements, contracts and renewals for the 2024-25 fiscal year, including its contract with the Office of Juvenile Affairs MOU Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery Programs and its agreement with the Center for Children and Families for the Boys and Girls Club of Norman.
The board also approved a FAFSA Data Portal Completion Agreement between NPS and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to allow the district access to information that aids students in the pursuit of higher education, ensuring the district meets Title 70 § 1210.508-6 requirements.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza and Taylor Jones. Chelsea Rose and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
