Schools Seek To Avoid Same Fate As Tulsa's McLain High School

State-initiated changes for Tulsa's McLain Junior and Senior High Schools could be as substantial as making it a charter school in little over a year.

That's after the state board of education named McClain to a list of low performing schools that need extra attention.

03/29/2012 Related Story: Tulsa School Avoids Takeover But Gets Help From State

Several superintendents made a final appeal to the board to stay off the list. Some argued test data that puts them in the bottom 5 percent for the state doesn't take into account recent improvements.

Okay Superintendent Mickey Igert said he's not sure if being on the list will help.

Tulsa's McLain High and Junior is on the list. It's going to get extra state attention and oversight. State Superintendent Janet Barresi says they'll start by engaging the community.

Tulsa Superintendent Keith Ballard said Monday "the Tulsa community will have a loud voice in determining any course of action with McLain"

Barresi says there is no push to make McClain a charter school - but that's a possibility.

The state school board spent hours debating who would be on the list - and what that would mean.

They decided to start with 6 of the lowest performing schools across the state - including McLain in Tulsa - and Okay High School.

The school districts on the list aren't sure yet if the extra attention will mean extra money, but the state department says it's looking into giving those districts more flexibility in how they spend the money they have.

The next step for McClain is a community meeting this coming Wednesday.