Romines Shares District Solutions at the Capitol

Moore Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines took the opportunity to share solutions developed at the district level with state legislators this week, offering a glimpse of why MPS is a standout district in Oklahoma. The discussions are happening this fall through interim study committees comprised of various House of Representatives teams. 

 

Rep. Ellen Pogemiller (Dist. 88) invited multiple groups to share information with the Common Education Committee on Chronic Absenteeism. Romines and Executive Director of Bridges Stacy Bruce shared positive solutions for districts ranging from a program like the MPS STEP program to a shared community effort like Bridges of Moore, to address homelessness. In each case, the efforts directly affect the problem of chronic absenteeism. 

 

Romines shared that the Suspension, Transition, Education Program (STEP) is designed for 7th to 10th-grade students who find themselves with a 45-day, long-term suspension, often related to drugs or alcohol. The program started during the 2023-24 school year. 

 

Romines shared that in the years before this program, students on a long-term suspension would stay home and were expected to complete their assignments online. He noted that online school is great for students and families who opt for it, but they were not seeing the same results from students on a long-term suspension. 

 

 

The STEP program has dedicated teachers and staff focused solely on the success of this particular student issue and they bring a daily dose of compassionate care to their practice. Students STEP also work with a drug and alcohol therapist to learn the "why" of their behaviors and choices so they can move forward equipped with techniques to implement for better decision-making.

 

After completing the 45 days, students are caught up on their work, have better insight into their decision-making and they typically want to stay with the adults and resources they've found through STEP. Romines noted that the pass rates among STEP students are up to 80%, students remain sober and repeat offenses are low. 

 

Romines and Bruce then shared stories of what homelessness looks like and what it really means for high school students. They noted the tie between a district's McKinney-Vento outreach and how homeless students are identified through that program.

 

"Homeless doesn't mean living under a bridge or at a park. Teenagers are resourceful and will couch-surf and eat where they can for as long as they can. It's not until those resources are exhausted that adults around them will learn the truth of their situation," Bruce said. 

 

She explained that students enrolled in the Bridges program must work, maintain good grades, pay rent on a sliding scale and learn about living on their own. Additionally, they are required to take life skills classes. 

 

She said, "We can honestly say that we have a 100% rate of our students leaving with a plan in place for either college, the military, CareerTech, or going straight to work. That's success."

 

The legislators had questions about funding for these programs and Romines mentioned that recent funding increases made a significant difference in MPS being financially able to fund the STEP program. Bridges of Moore is a financial result of the dedication from the MPS district's business community and partnerships.

 

Learn about Bridges of Moore here.  Learn about Bridges, LLC. here.