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The Oklahoma legislature has approved a state budget that dedicates $25 million to public education, focusing on increasing teacher salaries. The funding, tied to House Bill 1087, aims to retain senior teachers by extending the teacher pay raise schedule from 25 to 40 years of service. According to KFOR, the bill was authored by Rep. Dick Lowe and co-authored by Sen. Adam Pugh. It specifically targets classroom teachers, ensuring the funds directly benefit educators rather than administrative costs.
The new budget also mandates an additional instructional day, raising the minimum school year from 165 to 166 days. Some lawmakers, like Sen. Carri Hicks, have expressed concerns that the $25 million may not cover the increased costs for districts while still providing the intended pay raises.
The budget deal, supported by Governor Kevin Stitt, also includes incentives for teachers with at least 10 years of service. Their children will be eligible for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, which offers scholarships for tuition at state colleges and universities.
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert emphasized the importance of recruiting and retaining quality educators, stating that the pay raise is an incentive for teachers to remain in or return to the classroom. The budget also allocates funds for high-dosage tutoring and increased teacher maternity leave support.
Despite these initiatives, some critics argue that the funding is insufficient to address rising costs and the need for transformative changes in the classroom. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt noted that the $25 million allocation does not match the scale of challenges faced by public schools.