Rev. Scobey Calls for Better Pay for OKCPS Supt. Polk

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City pastors are coming together on Monday to advocate for Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Jamie Polk, after learning that she is paid significantly less than her counterparts statewide.

The pastors are asking community leaders to attend the next Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) board meeting on Monday, Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m.  All regular meetings of the OKCPS Board of Education are held in the Great Room of the Clara Luper Center for Educational Services, 615 North Classen Boulevard, and are open to the public. 

According to Rev. Derrick Scobey, Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Polk is being paid $100,000 less than the previous person who held her job, Sean McDaniel.  What’s more, Polk’s pay ranks around the 7^th highest for a superintendent in Oklahoma, though she oversees the second-largest district in the state.

Scobey posted the call to social media, titling the post, “Our Mother Taught Us Better: Why We’re Standing Up for Our Superintendent When Others Won’t.”

“Dr. Lee E. Cooper, Pastor James Grayson, Pastor Kenneth Morgan, Dr. Major L. Jemison, and I are calling on pastors and community leaders to stand with us next Monday at the Oklahoma City Public School Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m.

“Our School Superintendent, Dr. Polk, needs our support.  Her position is in jeopardy due to a contract dispute with Oklahoma City Public School Board, and the facts speak for themselves,” Scobey wrote.  “This pay inequity is unacceptable, and there are additional concerns that need to be addressed.  Dr. Polk deserves our advocacy and support.  We need 100 community members to show up and make their voices heard.  Can we count on you?”

Data from the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) shows that Polk’s annual compensation is $343,198.

Yukon Public Schools Superintendent William Simeroth’s compensation, according to OSDE, is $437,217.

Compensation for Nicholas Migliorino, superintendent of Norman Public Schools, is listed as $412,016.

The salary for Ebony Johnson, the superintendent of the largest school district in the state, Tulsa Public Schools, is listed as $366,842.

The superintendent for Epic Charter Virtual School, Barton Banfield, is listed at $360,674.

Robert Romines of Moore Public Schools makes $357,665.

Superintendent Kevin Hime in Lawton makes $347,520.