Bill > HB1491

This bill modifies Oklahoma state education laws to give board members more flexibility in setting meeting agendas for both the State Board of Education and local school district boards. Specifically, the bill allows board members to add items to meeting agendas through a specific process: for the State Board of Education and school district boards with five or more members, at least two members must make a written request to add an item, while for boards with four or fewer members, a single member can make such a request. The item can be placed on the agenda for the next meeting or a subsequent meeting, in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. The bill also makes some technical changes to existing language about board meeting procedures, such as clarifying how agenda items can be added and removing previous restrictions on agenda modifications. For school district boards with larger student populations or serving larger communities, the bill maintains provisions allowing board members to receive a small stipend (up to $25) for attending up to four meetings per calendar month. The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon passage and approval.