TPS Considering Letting Out School For Election Day

This November, Tulsa Public Schools students could have election day off.

The school board is looking into it after several teachers filed to run for office.

They're hoping to continue to make their voices heard at the ballot box. 

Several teachers and education supporters across the state have already started campaigning. 

And one way they think teachers will be able to continue to keep up this momentum for change is to be out of school on election day.

“People are going to remember this for a long time to come and it’s not over. This is just the first stage,” said House District 77 Candidate and Booker T. Washington Teacher John Waldron. 

Waldron is one of many teachers who continues to advocate for education. 

“I think we need a teachers perspective in the legislature. A lot of people say they are pro-education but they don’t understand the root issue and they don’t understand what needs to be done,” said Waldron.  

Waldron believes a lot of valuable lessons were learned throughout the walkout but hopes teachers can leave an even more lasting impression at the Capitol. 

“A demonstration of popular support was not going to convince this legislature to do the right thing. Only grudgingly and sparingly did they address the problem so we need to do a lot more and that means we need to win elections,” Waldron said. 

“Remember in November but June is soon. People need to be actively helping candidates who are pro-public education or we'll have more of the same,” said TCTA Vice President Shawna Mott-Wright.  

Many education groups across the state, including Tulsa Classroom Teacher's Association, are pushing for schools to be closed on election day so teachers and students can have their voices heard. 

“It is a right and a privilege that people to this day are dying for around the world. They’re literally dying for the right that we already have so if we just make it more accessible that’s a good thing,” said Mott-Wright. 

Mott-Wright hopes more people can understand the hardships teachers face and will continue to push for change in and out of the classroom. 

“Teachers take care of business. We take care of business in our classroom and we're going to take care of business in the legislature,” said Mott-Wright.  

The last day to register to vote in the June 26th Primary is on June 1st.