Taylor Connor, an elementary teacher in Norman and an active member of Penn (the districts bargaining unit for teachers), used the public-comment period to raise concerns about the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program, a state-proposed merit-pay initiative.

Connor said the district solicited teacher feedback in October but that the surveys availability was extended two additional days and the platform allowed multiple submissions. "From the lengthening of the survey availability and not having heard from the board, I am a teacher left in the dark about something that affects teacher pay and leadership opportunities within my district," Connor said. Connor also said a staff memo dated Oct. 20 indicated the board would receive information on Nov. 1 but she had not seen the promised follow-up.

Connor noted the initiative had been brought before the board last academic year and was turned down for lack of teacher input; she asked the board and district leadership to listen to on-time, authentic teacher responses when the program returns as an action item. "My ask is for the board and our leadership to listen to the on time authentic teacher responses when it comes up for action," Connor said.

Public-comment rules announced at the meeting made clear board members would not respond to speakers during the period; the transcript records Connors comments but no board response during public communications.