Oklahoma Schools Losing Counselors
The Oklahoma Department of Education is discontinuing the Counselor Corps program due to budget constraints, resulting in significant cuts to mental health resources in schools.
The program, funded by federal COVID-19 relief money, was initially designed to address the mental health needs of students. The end of the program means a reduction in staff and resources, potentially impacting students’ access to mental health support.
As Jessica Pearce reported, schools are now exploring alternative ways to fund these services amidst growing concerns over student well-being.
Since the program began in 2021, the state has improved its counselor-to-student ratio from one counselor per 411 students to one counselor per 378 students.
Oklahoma is still above the American School Counselor Association’s recommended ratio of one counselor per 250 students. The association said increasing the number of counselors available to students can increase standardized testing scores, reduce absenteeism, and improve postsecondary results.
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$100 Million Casino Planned
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Surviving Dispensaries Strengthen
With its high behind it and licenses to operate continuing to plunge, the medical marijuana market in Oklahoma keeps shrinking, but every closed-down dispensary leaves another one or two to pick up clients, strengthening the survivors. [The Oklahoman]
Woman Sentenced in Embezzlement Case
A federal judge sentenced a former manager of a now-closed Bartlesville domestic violence shelter to one year and one day in prison last week for embezzling nearly $300,000 while working there. [Tulsa World]
Tulsa Schools Expand Free Meals
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Two Detained in Abbey Crossbow Cattle Killings
About 14 cattle on abbey property in Shawnee were killed with a crossbow, costing the Benedictine monastery about $35,000. [The Oklahoman]
Happy National Chicken Wing Day.
Ciao for now,
Ted Streuli
Executive Director, Oklahoma Watch
