January 26, 2006

Oakridge Elementary Teachers Receive Cash Bonus for Outstanding Academic Achievement.
 

Oklahoma City – Today, Oakridge Elementary School was among 10 state schools receiving a newly established award that allows for teachers to receive a one-time cash bonus based on outstanding instructional performance.

Seven members of the certified teaching staff, including the principal, of Oakridge are eligible to receive this cash bonus that is expected to be between $2,300 and $2,500. “This is so exciting because this gives us the chance to actually celebrate the hard work we put into helping our students achieve great results,” says Principal Cynthia Barchue, adding, “This award is one of the best things that has ever come out of the state of Oklahoma and it is just the beginning of great things for Oklahoma teachers."

This award is the result of the state’s recently developed Academic Achievement Award (AAA) Program. This year, 10 schools across the state were recognized for either achievement in attaining either the top Academic Performance Index (API) scores in the state or for the greatest growth in API scores. Oakridge won first place in the category for schools achieving the greatest API gains for schools serving from 136 to 235 students.

“I’m really proud of Ms. Barchue and her staff. They have worked very hard to help their students become academically successful and they truly deserve this recognition and reward. Programs like this are invaluable to attracting and retaining top-quality teachers and growing a highly-educated workforce for our students’ future and ours,” says Bob Moore, superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools.

Oakridge qualified for this award because of a 453-point increase on the Academic Performance Index between the 03-04 school year and the 04-05 school year. In 03-04 the schools API score was 822 and in 04-05 it increased to 1275. Teachers had to have worked at the school between January 2005 and the present to receive the one-time bonus.

Teachers and other certified staff receiving the award include Principal Barchue; Rebecca Ingalsbe, 4th grade teacher; Carolyn Mischke, 5th grade teacher; Tara Hendricks, Pre-K teacher; Ronald Thorson, school counselor; Janine Shanabarger, physical education teacher; and Charlotte Nash, strings teacher.

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