State Department Of Education Gives Western Heights Board Authority Of District

The Oklahoma State Board of Education voted unanimously to give control back to the Western Heights school district and said it’s time for the local leadership to be able to make the best decisions.

The department had been in control because of administrative problems in the district.

The district reached a settlement with former Superintendent Mannix Barnes earlier this week in exchange for a $150,000 payout.

Barnes cannot sue the district in the future and must turn over his educators certificate by Dec. 31.

Gov. Kevin Stitt recently appointed a third board member to the school board, so they now officially have a quorum and can once again conduct meetings at the local level.

The new superintendent of Western Heights, Brayden Savage, said she knows there's a lot of work to be done in the district, but she's looking forward to making positive changes in Western Heights. 

Thursday was also Joy Hoffmeister's last board meeting after eight years in the position. She said that she's thankful for the chance to serve the children in Oklahoma over her time here.