A bill introduced by Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat would allow communities to organize recall petitions of school board members.
Senate Bill 1582 would allow people to recall school board members with signatures from 10% of residents living in a district who voted in the previous election.
That number is often miniscule, as school board races tend to have low voter turnout and some seats go uncontested for multiple elections.
School board members have been put under a microscope, though, since the pandemic began and they’ve been faced with decisions on masks, distance learning and even classroom content.
“It’s been a no-win for at least a year and half,” Tahlequah board member Chrissi Nimmo told StateImpact and The Oklahoman newspaper last year.
And now recall efforts might be added to the growing list of community pressures they face.
The bill will be considered when lawmakers convene for session in February.
StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahoma’s public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online.
