Langston program set for migrant workers
LANGSTON — The Langston University Department of Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Studies recently created a vocational rehabilitation program for migrant and seasonal farm workers with special needs.
The program is titled Sembrando el Futuro.
“Sembrando el Futuro was created as a means by which migrant and seasonal farm workers with special needs might be able to develop skills that would lead to long-term employment,” professor Cory Moore said in a news release.
The program assists participants by connecting them to community resources that are essential to helping them become independent and productive employees.
They are also provided with skills assessments, technical assistance, career counseling and job placement services.
Oklahoma Christian University appoints dean of graduate studies
Donald Drew has been appointed dean of graduate programs at Oklahoma Christian University.
Drew graduated from OC in 1979. He taught business classes during the past nine years at the university.
As dean of graduate programs, Drew will oversee, develop, implement and administer educational policies relating to graduate programs.
Board Member Calls for Reform
After executive session at Monday night’s Oklahoma City School Board meeting, member Steve Shafer read a prepared statement urging board members to commit themselves to making Oklahoma City a better district. Shafer said that to do that, board members must vote on issues put before them and pursue answers to questions from the board clerk or Superintendent Karl Springer. Shafer said that board members often ask for too much information on small topics rather than concentrating on a larger vision and trusting the leadership they have put into place. The actions of the board are unpredictable and do not convey confidence to leaders on decisions regarding management of the district and hiring and firing of employees, he said.
Shafer said that the relevance of his statement was again demonstrated that night when board members voted not to hire Lanette Lowe as principal for Wheeler Elementary School going against Springer’s recommendation. Board member Thelma Parks abstained while Chairman Angela Monson and members Wilfredo Santos Rivera and David Castillo voted no. Though the remaining four members voted yes, the board needed five votes to hire Lowe.
Several board members voiced their disapproval of Shafer’s statement, but Shafer said he will no longer stay quiet about the issues and the honeymoon is over for the board.
I guess the people of Oklahoma City will be watching.
- Staff Writer Dawn Marks
