Local news
Edmondson addresses education meeting
Attorney General Drew Edmondson was in Norman Monday where he served as keynote speaker for the 2009 Town Hall Conference, an annual meeting held to address critical issues facing Oklahoma.
The Town Hall conference is presented each year by The Oklahoma Academy, a nonprofit group that brings citizens, students and state and business leaders together to generate ideas to solve tough issues facing Oklahoma, Julie Knutson, the academy's president and CEO, said Monday.
With the focus on this year's Town Hall being on preparing the state's young people for the workforce, Edmondson discussed the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust, which he helped to create back in 2001, and its financial health following the collapse on Wall Street in late 2008.
Created to better prepare Oklahoma's students to compete in a global marketplace where technology is ever-changing, Edmondson said the OETT is doing what it was designed to do when it was formed using $30 million from communications giant SBC (now AT--T). He said the trust has already benefited more than 150 schools since 2003, when it officially began awarding grants.
He also discussed the financial hit the trust took in past few months.
"We still have the endowment," Edmondson said. "It took a little hit last year, dropped dramatically down to $24.8 million, but it's back up to $28.6 million.
"As the stock market rebounds, so does the Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust."
Edmondson also said the OETT tracks its effectiveness and classified his brainchild as "a public-private partnership that has done great things for students across Oklahoma."
Many Norman schools have received OETT grants since 2003, including Monroe Elementary School (2009), Norman North High School (2008), McKinley Elementary School (2007), Alcott Middle School (2006), Irving Middle School (2006), Longfellow Middle School (2005), Jefferson Elementary (2005), Whittier Middle School (2004), Norman High School (2004), Madison Elementary School (2003) and Truman Elementary School (2003).
John Hubbard Elementary School in Noble (2004) and Central Elementary School in Moore (2003) also have received OETT grants.
According to its Web site, OETT grants cannot exceed $40,000 and are to be used to purchase wireless laptops, SMART interactive whiteboards, digital cameras and other pricey technology items.
The OETT has awarded more than $10 million in grants since 2003.
- Local news
-
-
Forbes ranks Norman No. 3
Forbes Magazine recently released its list for Best College Sports Town in American. One year after not making the Top 10, Norman b
-
Snowplows of spring
Cleveland County residents should prepare for hazardous travel conditions on this, the first day of spring.
-
Fast Break Club steps up for Sooners
Six years into her stint at Oklahoma, Sherri Coale had an epiphany. The women’s basketball coach told a small room full of supporte
-
No updates on human bones found in Norman
Law enforcers continued their investigation Friday into bones discovered Wednesday in a wooded area of northeast Norman.
-
Burrage tells Democrats he’s ready for a race
The man appointed to be state auditor after the last one was sent to prison told Cleveland County Democrats on Friday that he’s got both money and qualifications to mount a race for his own full four-year term.
-
Notes from Noble City Hall
NOBLE — City Manager Bob Wade announced the upcoming dates for Spring Cleanup and Noble’s Trash Off/Big Event. He also outlined street projects that are under way as well as some slated to begin soon.
-
City police academy graduation set Friday
The largest academy in the Norman Police Department’s history will graduate in a ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday at Bethel Baptist Church
-
Boy Scouts plan 100th anniversary luncheon
The Sooner District of the Last Frontier Council has set its 100th Anniversary Norman Community Friends of Scouting Kickoff Luncheon for noon Tuesday at The Hall at Old Town Plaza, 102 W. Eufaula.
-
NFD investigates Wednesday night Cook Avenue house fire
Norman firefighters are investigating a fire late Wednesday that burned a bedroom in a house on Cook Avenue.
-
Bank forecloses on unopened motel
Norman-based First American Bank has begun foreclosure proceedings against the owners of a motel just south of Riverwind Casino, a bank official has confirmed.
- More Local news Headlines
-
Forbes ranks Norman No. 3
