Olivia Strepski, the district's elementary curriculum director, told the Lawton Board of Education the district has expanded its professional development (PD) offerings this year and is continuing to embed PD time within school master schedules. She said new initiatives include action-based learning labs at several elementary sites, additional PD for special education teachers, NASOT (the new art and science of teaching) cohorts, and district-led Lexia training for administrators for English learners and students with reading goals.

"The teachers are really liking that professional development," Strepski said, noting the district completed one NASOT cohort and is moving a cohort of teachers into a second phase. She added the district is entering year two of LETRS (the science of reading) with a cohort of about 25 teachers.

Pam Thomas, an EdTech trainer, told the board the district has streamlined its digital resources so teachers and students concentrate on approved, research-based tools. The district has introduced Waterford Academy for pre-K through first grade, expanded use of IXL for specific secondary math courses, and is piloting an "e-cadence" platform across schools. Thomas described flexible, on-site support (mentoring and Tech Tuesday peer-sharing) as important for serving a highly mobile student population.

Strepski said recruitment and retention remain tied to PD and career pathways: Lawton Public Schools is partnering with Cameron University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University, attending the Fort Sill career fair, and continuing workforce-development programs such as Work Lahoma/Work Ready and a Grow Your Own initiative associated with Senate Bill 235. The district's LPS grant program helps pay for college courses for staff pursuing teacher certification.

District presenters pointed the board to slides with links to PD opportunities and said they coordinate PD with other departments to avoid overlapping days and minimize teacher time out of class. The presenters asked the board to continue supporting Region 9 professional development centers and to maintain strong communication about district tech supports.

The board thanked the presenters; Strepski and Thomas said work will continue into next year with the LETRS cohort and additional EdTech rollouts.