Under the subhead "MADE FOR MORE" it reads, "Muskogee is evolving and quickly establishing itself as a dynamic community where the American dream is reality. our city's remarkable transformation is a testament to the opportunities and advantages that exist here. With some of the nation's most affordable costs of living, exceptional public schools, a flourishing job market (sic) and a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, Muskogee has more to offer than you can imagine."
Here's the truth about Muskogee public schools. "According to state test scores, 18% of students are at least proficient in math and 24% in reading. (source: https://www.niche.com/k12/d/muskogee-public-schools-ok/)
"Test Scores at Muskogee
In Muskogee, 26% of elementary students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 24% tested at or above that level for math. Also, 44% of middle school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 40% tested at or above that level for math. And 26% of high school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 12% tested at or above that level for math." (boldface are mine) (source: https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/oklahoma/districts/muskogee-103305#:~:text=Test%20Scores%20at%20Muskogee,above%20that%20level%20for%20math) Did you know that Oklahoma is ranked among the worst states in America when it comes to education? Oklahoma is ranked the 49th lowest state in education in 2024. (source: https://oklahomawatch.org/2024/08/15/is-oklahoma-ranked-among-the-worst-states-for-education/#:~:text=U.S.%20News%20&%20World%20Report's%202024,graduation%20rates%20and%20graduating%20debt.)
Superintendent Mendenhall's first focus was a multi-million bond to build a new stadium so we could hold regional conference championships here. Really? I thought the purpose of a school superintendent was to ensure that all students could meet the rigors of today's society. Do you consider the above statistics "rigorous," yet we have an 85 percent graduation rate? Have you heard Mendenhall address this issue? Does that mean he's satisfied with these statistics? Are you satisfied with these statistics? Did you know Mendenhall gets paid $201,000 a year and we get bottom-of-the-barrell reading and math proficiency?
Did you know that if you wanted to address this issue before the school board, that you couldn't? Their rules say that the public can only address issues that are already on the school board agenda. If you have an issue you want to address to the school board, you have to inform the board and they give it to Mendenhall. Both the board and Mendenhall have to approve the non-agenda item to be addressed and what do you think those chances are on this topic? Does this lead you to believe that Mendenhall and the school board have rigged their meetings to exclude holding Mendenhall and themselves accountable?
Let's get back to the brochure. When a municipality lies to the public and industry, do they think we/they won't find out? You don't think that businesses have their own "recruiters" to check on quality of life issues, including the quality of schools? And once these businesses find out they've been lied to, what does that do to the credibility of the city of Muskogee and its officials? And these businesses talk to each other about good and bad locations. So it takes one business to bad mouth Muskogee because of a lie in a brochure to cause other businesses to not even consider us.
Is this the way to run a city? No, but it's a good way to ruin a city.
Comments