Tulsa Public Schools Still Seeking Input On District's 5 Year Plan

Tulsa Public Schools is looking ahead to what it wants to accomplish over the next five years.  The district has spent the last several months collecting input for a "draft" vision plan.  

More than 3,300 people took the survey.  Out of them, 78 percent of Tulsans responded that the purpose of public education was to "help students fulfill their potential and have choices in life."

Tuesday evening, while that is a top priority, there are a lot of other things the community wants to see out of Tulsa Public Schools.  

District officials held a community forum at Hale High School. Parents, teachers and even students all weighed in on what they want to see from the district and the new superintendent over the next five years.

Dr. Deborah Gist says what she hears the most is just how much Tulsa cares about making public education the best it can be. But when asked to draw or write about things more specifically, 15-year-old exchange student Jarin Reisa's image caught our eye.  

She described to us the need to make learning more fun and hands on and that, she says, will engage students.  

That is something, Dr. Gist calls a high priority.  

"Talk to children about loving to learn and to be safe and supported," said Dr. Deborah Gist. 

Another focus will be on global language skills.

"If I didn't know English I couldn't have contact with them. I know their culture and they know my culture," said Jarin Reisa.  

Also on the list of goals- real world experience and an increased use of technology.  But Tuesday evening, most at the forum agreed none of that can happen without better participation from parents in the district.  

"Every Monday we walk the streets. On Tuesday we have a forum.. It's great to recognize what we need to do," said Jeff Jemenez.  

But, Jemenez says you need a plan to execute it.  

The next and last community forum is Tuesday, November 3 at Tulsa's Booker T. Washington High School at 6 p.m.