Representative Sherrie Conley

R

District 20

Hi, I'm Sherrie Conley and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 20th District.


representative

Leadership

Majority Caucus Secretary

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Aug 28, 2024
Recent Posts

Conley Updates on Student/Teacher Communications Guidance

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, today commented on new training released by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) that gives schools guidance regarding communications between school employees and students who are relatives that attend schools in the districts where they work. Conley said earlier this month she'd been contacted by numerous people after House Bill 3958, which she authored, took effect in July. The legislation requires school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with an individual student to include the student's parents or guardians. She was told districts were informing employees that were family members of students that they must communicate through a school-approved platform and include parents or guardians even in personal messages. The new OSDE guidance reads, "If school personnel have a familial relationship with the student, the statute does not require that the communication include a parent/guardian. The focus of the statute is not communications between family members." Conley said she's relieved. "This legislation was intended to curb the number of instances where school faculty is inappropriate with a non-relative student through text messaging or other electronic communications," Conley said. "It was never intended to stop a grandmother, aunt or other family member from reaching out to a student to whom they are related to share a personal message." Under the new law, the State Department of Education was required to develop and provide training for school personnel on the communication requirements of the act. Conley said she's pleased with the department's interpretation of legislative intent and the guidance that is now available to school districts throughout the state. Conley said she'll explore whether clarification in the law still is needed through an interim study she'll hold this fall. The study was requested to examine additional ways to keep students safe at school. The study is tentatively set for 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct 1. 

Aug 16, 2024
Recent Posts

Conley Comments on Student/Teacher Communications

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, said she's been asked by school employees throughout the state for guidance on communicating with students who are relatives that attend schools in the districts where they work. The requests are coming after House Bill 3958, which Conley authored, took effect July 1. The legislation requires school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with an individual student to include the student's parents or guardians. She said she's been contacted by grandmothers who are texting personal messages to their grandchildren. She's heard from aunts and other family members of students as well. Those who work as teachers or in another role in the school say they are being told by district administrators that to communicate electronically with their relatives they must use a school-approved platform to comply with the provisions of the law. The family members are being told they will face a write-up if they don't comply. "This bill was intended to cut down on predatory communications between educators and students," Conley said. "It was never meant to monitor personal communications between family members. I've talked to district attorneys and other legal professionals who said the schools enforcing these policies are being overly broad, and that such communication should be beyond the scope of the law." Conley said she understands because there are no safe harbor provisions in the act, districts are doing their best to comply with the letter of the law, but she feels they're missing the intent. The State Department of Education is required under the new act to develop and provide training for school personnel on the communication requirements of the act. Conley said she's asked the department to help districts understand the legislative intent and to offer guidance between what constitutes personal communications between family members and those between unrelated school personnel and students. Conley said she'll also explore whether clarification in the law is needed through an interim study she'll hold this fall. The study was requested to examine additional ways to keep students safe at school. The study is tentatively set for 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct 1. 

Jul 8, 2024
Recent Posts

Governor to Ceremonially Sign Bill Requiring Student/Teacher Communications to Include Parent

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt is scheduled to ceremonially sign legislation requiring school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with an individual student to include the student's parents or guardians. House Bill 3958 is scheduled to be signed at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, in the Blue Room at the State Capitol. The legislation is authored by Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond. "This bill can save our students and our educators from the devastating consequences of inappropriate communication," Conley said. "There have been absolutely too many reports in our schools of school employees sharing inappropriate messages with students, many times leading to actual physical abuse. This legislation will help curb that, and it will protect those educators who are falsely accused. It also can help in keeping parents fully informed of information pertaining to their child's education. This is just the beginning of putting policies, procedures and laws in place to help ensure Oklahoma students are safe from those who do not have the best interests of our students in mind." Sen. Pugh added, “Through House Bill 3958, Oklahoma schools can further protect students by implementing procedures to avoid private communications between kids and adults. The measure provides that schools can utilize approved methods of communication that will allow teachers, students, and parents to continue discussing academics, school activities, and other pertinent information provided by school districts. I’m incredibly appreciative of everyone who has supported this bill throughout the legislative process so we can better serve students, parents, and educators across our state as we work to not only protect students and faculty but also enhance their learning environment and promote parental involvement in education.” Attending the signing will be several who say they are victims and survivors of sexual abuse by school employees. Ashley Rolen accused a coach at the Little Axe School District of sexually abusing her, reporting the incidences starting in 2002. She's filed complaints against the coach and the district with the State Department of Education, first under former State Supt. Joy Hofmeister. Conley reported that the coach's teaching certificate was surrendered July 8.   Former Noble High School student Casey Yochum said he was groomed by his high school soccer coach. He first reported the matter in 2019. Charges have not been filed against the coach, who is reportedly no longer with the district, nor has any agency confirmed an investigation. HB3958 was formally signed into law in May, but the governor hosts ceremonial signings of some bills to allow authors and others involved in the legislation the opportunity to participate in this part of the process. The act took effect July 1. Under the new statute, exceptions may be made in case of an emergency, subject to subsequent notification to the parent or guardian. The measure stipulates that school personnel shall make reasonable efforts to use school-approved platforms, systems or applications that allow automatic inclusion of parents or guardians in communications with students. HB3958 specifies that schools shall provide training, developed by the State Department of Education, for school personnel on the student communication requirements within the act. Any school personnel reported to be in violation of the new act shall be put on administrative leave while the school district investigates the incident and notifies the local and state boards of education. If the investigation finds no misconduct occurred, the school personnel shall be reinstated with the incident noted in the employee's file. If the investigation finds misconduct occurred, the school personnel's employment shall be terminated, and the incident shall be reported to law enforcement pursuant to state statute. In addition to the new statute, Conley said she has requested an interim study to examine additional ways to keep students safe at school. House interim studies will be approved later this month.