Officials with Oklahoma's Office of Juvenile Affairs want to open charter schools in at juvenile detention facilities in Tecumseh and Manitou.
The Tecumseh and Tipton school districts currently provide educational programs to juveniles at the facilities — but OJA wants to take control of those programs and offer more vocational training and life skills.
OJA Executive Director Keith Wilson told The Oklahoman that the school districts have "tried hard and done a reasonably good job" of educating the juveniles. But Wilson says he believes the state agency can be more effective.
Tipton Public Schools Superintendent Shane Boothe says he doesn't support the charter and both Boothe and Tecumseh Superintendent Tom Wilsie say they're concerned about the future employment of teachers who work at the juvenile centers.
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