Sens. Ford and Jolley call for board member's resignation

State Senators John Ford and Clark Jolley are calling for a member of the State School Board to resign from that post.

Jolley, a member of the Senate Education Committee said he was appalled by reports that former State Senator and current board member Herb Rozell had referred to State Superintendent Janet Barresi's legislative liaison as "useless" because she was pregnant and her baby is expected to be born during the legislative session.

"I thought it was archaic, misogynistic and deplorable. I'm calling on him to publicly apologize to her and resign his position on the State Board," said Jolley, R-Edmond. "In this day and age, to have that type of attitude about a woman's ability to serve is offensive, discriminatory and just wrong."

Ford, who represents Craig, Nowata and Washington counties in the Senate and chairs the Education Committee, said he was deeply offended by the remark.

"I am a father, a husband and a grandfather. My wife and my daughter worked through pregnancies and they continued doing a tremendous job," Ford said. "When my granddaughter enters the workforce, I want her to have the opportunities that every citizen in this state, every person in this nation should have--and they shouldn't be held back because they're pregnant."

Jolley said after hearing of the comments made at the meeting, he regretted voting in favor of Rozell’s confirmation to the State School Board.