Western Heights' School Board Strikes A Deal With District's Teachers Union

At Western Heights, contracts for teachers and staff were approved after a two-year standoff in a Monday night board of education meeting. 

The approved agreements include stipends for new teachers and salary increases for certified teachers and staff. 

This is the latest development from the school district as it fights to keep its accreditation. 

“There’s absolutely no reason why any contract in the state of Oklahoma between teachers and a board of education should ever be at two years of impasse. it’s almost unheard of,” said Bruce Treadway, Oklahoma Education Association spokesperson. 

But now administrators look to recruit fresh talent and keep the longtime staff that they say hold the district together. 

“I think that was a huge step forward as we continue to make improvements and bring unity back into the community,” said Monty Guthrie, interim superintendent. 

It’s been a long road to get the school to this point. 

“The people of the district, and the community and the students have certainly rose to the challenge and we’ve had a very productive first nine weeks,” Guthrie said. 

The Oklahoma State Department of Education put the district on probation in April and it’s been a fight ever since. 

Purchase orders obtained by News 9 through a records request show Western Heights board attorney Colclaizer & Associates charged the district almost $23,000 for legal services for one week in June. In July, the firm billed the district $60,000. 

An additional firm was hired to represent the Western Heights board this summer — Harris & Coffey charged the school $50,000 in early August.

Last night — the board approved paying a $20,000 retainer with yet another law firm to represent suspended superintendent Mannix Barnes. 

Costs paid and unpaid total over $150,000 since April. Community members are concerned as district legal counsel continue to lose in court.

“The state board of ed absolutely has the authority to do what they’re doing, and legislature has given them that authority. For Colclazier to continue to argue that they don’t — that is a losing battle and then it turns into a money grab,” said Amy Boone, a community organizer. 

State legal counsel responded to the board’s most recent motion saying, “It appears the intent…is to prolong litigation proceedings—fully at public expense—rather than resolve any genuine questions of law that all Petitioners claims have been based on.”

Monday night – one of the school board seats came up for election. Community members said they are launching an effort to elect someone they feel will put the needs of the students and teachers first.