Group generates petition to boost school funding

Oklahoma schools receive $6,900 per student for instruction, books and supplies, but a group of education officials are looking to increase that amount in an effort to provide better opportunities to students. To achieve this goal, the group is proposing a change in Oklahoma’s constitution.
Members of the Oklahoma Education Association have started the petition process to put an initiative on the 2010 ballot to bring education funding to the regional average. The regional average — based on surrounding states — is $8,300 per student. Oklahoma’s region is comprised of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.
Surrounding states are led by Colorado at $8,900 per student, followed by New Mexico at $8,600 per student.
OEA President Roy Bishop said, “The effort is to make Oklahoma education a priority in the state. We want to give the opportunity for children to have the best they deserve.”
Bishop said a better education system will provide a stable economy and “a great foundation for the state because of the commitment in kids.”
He said the $1,400 difference per student will go to the public school districts offering pre-kindergarten through 12th grade classes. Independent schools also would be included in the equation. It is estimated at $850 million annually to be added to Oklahoma education.
“All schools will be getting that money,” Bishop said.
The organization filed the Helping Oklahoma Public Education (HOPE) petition Aug. 6, and it has 90 days to get 138,970 signatures. The petition requires 15 percent of the votes cast at the last election for governor, which was 926,462. Bishop said he hopes the petition will get 200,000 signatures.
Bishop said the OEA delegate assembly has approached the state Legislature, but there have been cuts in state income taxes for the past two years without ensuring money for state services.
OEA members started the movement, but other education groups are backing it. Groups include Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools, Oklahoma State School Board Association, Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration, United States Student Association and Oklahoma’s Parent Teacher Association.
He said if the initiative passes, it will hold politicians to their word. “The economy will grow and have the funds for schools that is needed.”
Bishop said Oklahomans have supported education funding for the past 10 years, and the initiative would make sure of the funding.
“Oklahomans want it, and our politicians promise it,” he said, adding the initiative would put the language in the constitution to keep funding at a consistent level.
Bishop said the most important thing is that the petition movement is about the children and investing in their future to keep them in Oklahoma.
“So many kids leave,” he said. “We want to provide the commitment across the state.”
Bishop said research shows that the more a state invests in education, the better the state will be. It will increase the tax base, provide more jobs and more educated people in society, he said.
“It is tremendously important for the state economy and growth of Oklahoma,” he said.
Bishop said funding education already is in the constitution, but it is at $42 per student. He said the initiative is trying to update it. The initiative states if the regional average increases, the amount Oklahoma funds education would increase. Bishop said it would stay at the level being funded if the regional average would go down.
If the petition succeeds and the initiative passes, the funding would be on a three-year implementation plan. Bishop said the reality is that Oklahoma’s revenue couldn’t support bringing Oklahoma’s spending in line with the regional average.
“We don’t want to do anything that would put a financial hardship on Oklahoma,” he said, adding that the amount would increase each year based on a percentage.
Funding generated would go to pay for classroom expenses, books and supplies, new instructional programs, classroom technology, support services, curriculum expansion and teacher salaries.
Opportunities to sign the petition will be available with local teacher representatives, at high school football games, The University of Oklahoma football games, Oklahoma State University football games, state fairs other community activities or by visiting HOPE headquarters at 310 NE 28th St. in Oklahoma City.
For more information, visit hope4ourkids.org and okea.org.
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Amanda Gire may be reached at amanda.gire@news-star.com or at 214-3934.