The Middale Public Schools Board voted unanimously April 14 to allow the district to apply for grants under the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program (OTP), an initiative that provides state lottery money intended to reward selected teachers.

The application request — presented by Superintendent Dr. Cobb — passed after roughly an hour of discussion and questions from board members about funding permanence, which teachers would be eligible, and how recipients would be chosen.

Board members and staff said the district would use this year’s existing Teacher of the Year process as the fastest way to meet the state’s application deadline of May 1, while acknowledging that a teacher-selection committee should be formed and criteria revisited if the district pursues the program in subsequent years. Dr. Cobb told the board the state removed an earlier local match requirement via Senate Bill 1256, reducing the district cost and making the program worth pursuing now.

Why it matters: OTP creates a path for districts to give differential awards to a limited share of teachers. Supporters said accepting the funds would put money directly into district teachers’ hands this year. Opponents and some board members warned that the program raises the perennial merit-pay debate — who decides which teachers are “advanced” or “master” — and that the statute’s use of the word “salary” could create misunderstandings about whether payments are one-time stipends or permanent raises.

Discussion details
- Public commenter Lori Burris asked why the teacher association had not been consulted on the application; she said she found the agenda posting on Friday and that some teachers felt excluded from the process.
- Dr. Cobb outlined the program’s background: House Bill 4388 (2022) established OTP and required districts to identify up to 10% of certified teachers for advanced/lead/master designations, with awards tied to specified extra duties or evidence. He said the initial statutory language required a 50% local match; Senate Bill 1256 removed that match last year.
- Board members expressed concern about using a merit-pay model based on test scores or inconsistent measures. Dr. Cobb and other staff said the district would document measures that can be applied across teaching areas (including arts and special education) rather than relying only on standardized-test outcomes.
- Board members asked how additional contract days required by the program would be compensated. Dr. Cobb said the stipend structure (examples discussed in the state guidance: smaller stipend for site winners, larger for district finalists and top district teacher) is intended to cover the extra days and that the state had clarified the program would not automatically create an ongoing contractual salary obligation for future years.
- Several board members asked for clearer wording to avoid confusing the awards with permanent salary increases; Dr. Cobb said application materials must match the statutory form but staff will document in writing to recipients that the awards are contingent on state funding and do not change negotiated salary lanes.

Outcome and next steps
The board voted to authorize submission of the district’s OTP application for the 2024–25 teacher-of-the-year cohort. The vote was recorded as unanimous (Miss Standridge — board president: aye; Dr. Kirk: aye; Miss Schultz: aye; Miss Grant: aye; Dr. Daniel: aye). Dr. Cobb said recipients would be identified from the district’s current Teacher of the Year process for this school year, and staff will convene a teacher/principal committee over the summer to refine criteria for future cycles. If the state declines the application, no district funds will be expended.

Quotes
"I would rather take what little bit I can get, apply it, and then go back next year for more," Superintendent Dr. Cobb said during discussion of whether to pursue the money now.

Ending
The board’s vote allows district staff to submit the OTP application by the state deadline; staff said they will return to the board with paperwork and, if the state awards funds, a plan describing award amounts, the required extra contract days and documentation showing how teacher performance measures were applied.