Chase Congleton
Senate Bill No. OSU-006 failed in the Senate by a vote of nine in the proponency and 10 in the opponency within the delegates.
Senator Nathan Dethloff of Oklahoma State University introduced the bill to the Senate chambers earlier today.
The bill, also known as the “Private Schools in High School Athletics,” would have attempted to even out the competition between high school athletics in the state of Oklahoma.
Dethloff, who grew up in Ardmore, said that his local high school competed against private schools located in Tulsa. More often than not, the private Tulsa schools would win competitions against his high school due to using recruitment methods.
The bill as originally written would require all private schools classified as 4A or higher wishing to compete in athletic competitions to participate in two classifications higher than the school is originally considered by the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Atheltic Association.
After the author’s explanation, senators began asking questions to the author and caucusing amongst each other. Proposals for amendments came after questioning.
Four amendments for the bill were proposed: two from Senator Isaac Jacobson of Oral Roberts University, one from Senator Cheyenne Green of the University of Tulsa and one from Senator Tessla Brewer of Oklahoma Baptist University. All of the amendments were passed by the Senate.
The debate of the bill was held, with the proponency saying that private school students typically have more access and privilege than public school students. Senator Michaela Rule of Southeastern Oklahoma State University debated in the proponency.
“Private school kids generally come from more wealthy families,” Senator Rule said. “They have more access to better tutors and teachers than students from public schools.”
Senator Jacobson debated in the opponency of the bill, saying that the school he went to was one of the poorest private schools in Tulsa.
“This bill would hurt schools like mine in athletics, drama and other competitions,” Senator Jacobson said. “It is time we stop generalizing private schools.”
After the debate between both sides concluded, the Senate killed the bill by a single vote before it could enter the House of Representatives.