Tulsa School Board Seat On The Line For Tuesday Ballot

Voters will head to the polls on February 8 to pick who they want to fill an empty seat on TPS’ school board.

If one of the candidates does not receive a majority of the vote Tuesday, then the top two will go on to the general election in April.

Voters who live in TPS's District 7 will have four options on the ballot to fill an open school board seat.

One is Junegrid Baker, who said she has taught for nearly 40 years in Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia and most recently at TPS.

She said her main objective, if elected, is to bring prayer into schools.

"I firmly believe that God, Jesus, is the answer to the problems our youth are facing,” Baker said. “There is so much immorality existing in our schools."

Ellen Fuller is a retired registered nurse.

Fuller said she feels strongly about getting involved in her grandkids' education and wants to support students and teachers.

"Seeing where the money's going, how it's being spent is one way, I think recruiting more volunteers in the classroom,” Fuller said.

Tim Harris is another option. He said his focus would be on early childhood reading levels.

Harris has no personal connection to TPS, but said his 16 years serving as Tulsa County District Attorney sets him apart.

"Out of all the candidates, I probably have had more contact with children and looking at their success than any other candidate,” Harris said. “And so that's what makes me the child advocate that I am, is my background."

Susan Lamkin has been a TPS parent for 16 years.

She is the PTA President at Memorial High School and a VP of the Tulsa Council of PTAs.

Lamkin said she feels the biggest issues are supporting teachers and keeping students learning in person full-time.

"I have relationships with people,” Lamkin said. “I know how to be a part of the school setting and the families in the schools and be part of that so that I really can represent what they maybe are in need of as we move forward."

Broken Arrow and Union Public Schools also have board member seats up for grabs that voters can decide on, on Tuesday.