Oklahoma City Schools Find New Leader

Oklahoma City Schools have ridden a roller coaster ofcreated in 2001 that has earmarked $512 million for
ups and downs for the past decade. The district wasnew or renovated school buildings for all Oklahoma
labeled as "in need of improvement" under the No ChildCity Schools. Other funds in the initiative include $52
Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). That federal mandatemillion for computer and technological resources for
led to major overhauls which included a districtOklahoma City Schools. The plan draws on sales tax
improvement plan, a comprehensive local educationincreases over the coming years, as well as bond
plan (CLEP) and numerous initiatives by thenfunds to feed the aggressive changes. Board
superintendent Bob Moore. The changes have seenmembers and administrators in the Oklahoma City
marked improvements.Schools believe that Porter, coming from a district that
Following Moore's resignation, interim superintendentmanages an operating budget of $1.85 billion fairly
Linda S. Brown and the Oklahoma City Schools' Boardsuccessfully, will be able to use district funding to
instituted four major tools to help meet Adequateinstitute the needed AYP improvements.
Yearly Progress (AYP) as required by the NCLB act.The nearly year long search for the new Oklahoma
These tools are: district restructuring, the InstructionalCity Schools Superintendent seems to have board
Facilitator Program, the Organizational Health Inventory,members breathing a sigh of relief. Oklahoma City
and the High Performance Model. The major concernSchools have gone over 10 months without a
of Oklahoma City Schools during the previouspermanent leader in the superintendent's position.
academic year was finding someone capable ofChairman of the Oklahoma City Schools Board, Cliff
continuing the upward progress of these initiatives.Hudson said, "While it has taken us some time to find a
That search came to an end in April when Oklahomanew leader, I can say it was worth the wait because
City Schools announced the selection of John Q.we have found an exceptional person to lead the
Porter as the next Superintendent of Schools. Porter isOklahoma City Public Schools District."
currently Deputy Superintendent of the highly rankedWhile politics dictate that this sunny outlook will face
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) inchallenges during the actual interactions over the next
Rockville, Maryland. Porter is nationally recognized forschool year, the fact that Porter is positively embraced
his work in improving both accountability andby most of the Oklahoma City Schools administrators
academics in the MCPS. He also has had success inis encouraging. Hudson implied that the community
integrating technology with student learning. This is oneinvestment made by MAPS for kids was partly
of the reasons that Oklahoma City Schools think heresponsible for the high quality of applicants who
might be the right man for the job.applied for the superintendent's position. Porter will
Oklahoma City Schools have received acclaim for itsofficially assume the title of Oklahoma City Schools
MAPS (Metropolitan Area Public Schools) for kidsnewest superintendent on July 1st.
program. MAPS for kids is an "historic bond initiative"