According to a brief 185-word statement released by The Gooden Group, the chairman of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education, Cliff Hudson, has offered to resign if current Superintendent John Q. Porter does the same.
"We need to get on with the business of the district for the sake of the students. We have a great community and we are building a remarkable urban school district. Our community, students, teachers, staff, parents and citizens deserve better, and we cannot afford the continued uncertainty," Hudson said in the statement. "I love this community. I am a product of the Oklahoma City Public Schools. We have come so far together as a community with a shared vision to do something through Maps for Kids that is unprecedented in public education. We cannot allow our tremendous gains to be lost. After much serious thought, I have come to the conclusion it is best for both John and I to leave our positions so we can move forward. I urge Superintendent Porter to consider my offer."
PORTER 'TO FIGHT'
Porter urged patrons to share their thoughts with community officials prior to Friday afternoon's special meeting. The school board is slated to discuss his employment again after questions were raised about whether the Monday meeting was a violation of the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
"I'm going to fight for my job," Porter said at a Thursday press conference. He answered no questions and would not comment on Hudson's offer.
Porter said he's learned hard lessons and made mistakes but remains devoted to the community. The embattled superintendent also thanked Hudson and said he hoped "to find a way to come together." - Rob Collins
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School's superintendent's suspension causes heated board meeting
OKCPS' votes to suspend superintendent
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