The waiving of a 5 percent administration fee for two enterprise schools in Oklahoma City caused half of the school board to vote against a contract renewal two weeks before school is scheduled to start.
With a vote of 3-3, the contract renewal failed to pass, but district officials say they believe a new contract will be approved before the start of school on Aug. 4.
Superintendent Robert Neu said there are no plans for the start of class at Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School and Jackson Enterprise Elementary School to be delayed, according to district spokesperson Tierney Tinnin.The contract between the district and the two schools failed to gain approval from the majority of the board as Phil Horning, Ruth Veals and Ron Millican voted no.
The contract before the board did not include the typical 5 percent administrative fee that the district normally requires of enterprise schools. The three board members who voted against the contract said they wanted the fee included.
“I think if we add that [administrative fee] to it we will get that passed,” Tinnin said.
District officials expect to hold a special board meeting next week in order to approve the new contract. Like charter schools, enterprise schools operate with separate leadership from the district. The contract up for debate includes a payment of $4,423.25 from the school district for every enterprise student.
