Policies on the Delegation of Authority

The Great Plains Board of Education expresses sincere thanks to the citizens of the community and to the professional staff for their cooperation in maintaining quality educational programs for the youth and adults of this community.

The Board of Education is also extremely proud of those students who take advantage of the educational opportunities in the Great Plains district and by so doing, become contributing members of our democratic society.

The Board of Education recognizes that society is faced with many complex social problems. Public school education is deeply involved, not only in the solution of such problems, but also in an effort to operate schools effectively despite the social unrest throughout the world today.

The Great Plains Technology Center is responsible for maintaining a quality education program for its students. The Great Plains Technology Center Board of Education therefore adheres to the following statements.

VISION

Great Plains Technology Center offers valuable career education for every person, business and organization.

MISSION
Our mission is to prepare individuals for success in work and life, serving as a driving force for economic development in Southwest Oklahoma.

CORE VALUES
We are committed to the communities we serve.
We are ethical and accountable for our decisions and actions.
We are dedicated to promoting economic development in Southwest Oklahoma.

CORE BELIEFS
GPTC believes in the unity of the school and the communities it serves.
GPTC believes lifelong learning promotes economic advancement for its students and communities we serve.
GPTC believes stakeholders are integral to improving programs and services.
GPTC believes employability skills, technical competence, and academic rigor are essential for student success.
GPTC believes we prepare our students to be among the most highly skilled workers in the world.

There is a growing recognition that the future workplace will require new and different skills for all works. A study from ACT shows that high school students entering workforce training programs after graduation need academic skills similar to those of college-bound students. Not only will workers require job-specific skills, but workers will need transferable skills that will help them to acquire further education and training throughout their careers. Integrating academic and vocation/technical skills will only make the student more knowledgeable in high school but will make them more knowledgeable in how to compete in a global economy filled with up-to-the minute technology and a demand for high-level worker skills. Processing problem-solving abilities, higher-order thinking skills, and communication/employ- ability skills are crucial for work in today’s global economy. Unfortunately, far too many students leave high school inadequately prepared, both academically and vocationally, for a lifetime of sustained working and learning.

The integration of academic and career tech education is nation-wide school improvement effort that places more attention on the skills and knowledge students need to successfully transition from school to work and/or college. The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act provides federal resources to help ensure that career and technical programs are academically rigorous and up to date with the needs of business and industry. It is highly recommended that all high school students experience a common academic program that prepares them for both college and workforce training, especially in the areas of math and reading skills. The integration of academic and career tech education at the Great Plains Technology Center offers an excellent opportunity to successfully effect change in an educational system that is committed to better preparing students for the future, whether they are academic, or career focused.

In order to achieve these goals, the Great Plains Technology Center Board of Education is obligated to develop policies that will allow all students to be educated in an orderly environment, free from those disruptions which interfere with the learning process.

The Executive Director of Instructional Development is encouraged to involve staff, students, and parents in an advisory capacity. However, since the Executive Director of Instructional Development’s responsibilities and authority are vitally related to the successful operation of the school, the Great Plains Technology Center Board of Education does not expect the Executive Director of Instructional Development to relinquish the authority to make decisions. Within the bounds of law, policy, and directive, the Executive Director of Instructional Development can delegate authority to members of the professional staff, who also become an important part of the school operation.

The Executive Director of Instructional Development is charged with assuring compliance to the school code on matters involving all students. In his/her absence, the following will have the authority to act on behalf of the Great Plains Technology Center (GPTC) on matters involving code:

The Executive Director of Instructional Development, Lawton Campus, the Director of Instruction, the Director of Health Careers & STEM Education, the Director of S.C.O.R.E., the Executive Director of Instructional Development, Tillman/Kiowa County Campus, and their designated representatives are hereafter referred to as the “Administrator”.

State Statute 70-3243 requires public/private postsecondary educational institutions to provide information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the benefits of the vaccination. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane which surrounds the brain. Left untreated, it can cause seizures, coma, lasting disability and even death. Health professionals are recommending that students receive the meningitis vaccine. The Comanche County Health Department, phone # 580-585-6649, can answer any questions regarding the disease or the immunization.

GPTC District medical personnel (certified school nurse or any other nurse employed by or under contract with GPTC) or any other person designated by the Superintendent may administer an opiate antagonist for a suspected opiate overdose by a student or other individual exhibiting signs of an opiate overdose.

The Superintendent may authorize one or more technology center employees to receive training offered by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, a law enforcement agency, or any other entity in recognizing the signs of an opiate overdose and administering an opiate antagonist. The Superintendent may designate persons to receive this training who have been required to receive annual training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the Heimlich maneuver. Furthermore, if a person or persons designated and trained to administer an opiate antagonist are absent, the Superintendent or designee may authorize any person to administer an opiate antagonist to a student or other individual exhibiting signs of an overdose.

Any person administering an opiate antagonist to a student or other individual at a school site or school-sponsored event, in a manner consistent with addressing opiate overdose, shall be covered by the Good Samaritan Act. In the event of a suspected overdose, GPTC and its employees or designees shall be immune from civil liability in relation to the administration of an opiate antagonist.