YOUR VIEWS

Setting it straight

“Far-left efforts left much to be desired” (Our Views, Nov. 16) misstated the results of a U.S. House race involving Democratic candidate Katie Porter in California. Porter was declared the winner Nov. 15.

Changes needed in education

If the Oklahoma Department of Education asked citizens, “Do you want higher teacher salaries or a more efficient school system?” the answer would be “both.” Sean McDaniel accepted the job as Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendent knowing that business as usual was no longer acceptable. Gov. Mary Fallin has tasked the Department of Education to work toward the goal where at least 60 percent of a district’s budget goes into the classroom. OKCPS is one of many districts not meeting the 60 percent goal. And as McDaniel admits, there is no reason why the district can’t realign the high number of resources to meet this goal. The district has more than 60 schools serving 46,000 students; lots of flexibility to make the district better.

My hope is that the state will use OKCPS as a model for the rest of the state. In the rightsizing effort, some jobs may change and some schools might be closed or repurposed. I expect

that Gov.-elect Kevin Stitt, with his business background, will accelerate changes in state education rather than accept business as usual. Expect more to come.

Greg Hall, Oklahoma City

Wall debate

Warren Shook (Your Views, Nov. 14) used a passage from Revelation to reach the conclusion that if it’s OK for Jesus to build a wall of separation, then surely it should be OK for us. The text he referred to does describe a wall of substantial proportions and amazing construction. However, it appears that Shook didn’t read to the end of the chapter. The gates of that new city are never closed because “there shall be no night there.” The purpose of the text to which he refers is not to focus upon the need for a wall. It’s to describe a vision of the time when there is no need for a wall because there is no darkness.

Mark Story, Edmond