The new superintendent nixed Hofmeister's proposed $5,000 across-the-board teacher pay raise, which would have cost nearly $310 million. Pemberton said he hopes measures passed last year like the Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Initiative Program combined with more legislative efforts this year will start attracting new teachers and retaining current teachers. New Kansas teachers make slightly more than their Oklahoma counterparts at $39,100. I want to see the numbers, said Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, chairperson of the House budget committee on education. It expressly states: SECTION 1. When Hofmeister was first elected in 2014, she askedthe Legislature to add a $5,000 teacher pay increase on top ofthe budget request from the prior superintendents administration. Weve slipped to number four in the region, so that means Texas and Colorado and New Mexico and a lot of these states are paying more and are drawing our teachers out of the state, Pemberton said. The state last increased minimum teacher pay in 2019 with a Raises would range from $2,500 to $10,000 on top of the state's minimum salary schedule, Walters said. Kevin Stitts State of the State speech, Stitt asks lawmakers for $100 million to fund education during ongoing gaming dispute, Oklahoma Democrats respond to Stitt's State of the State address, Read Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitts State of the State speech When the salaries are adjusted for inflation, teachers are earning on average $2,179 less per year than they did a decade ago. The request then goes to the Legislature where lawmakers during the 2023 session will make the final decision on each state agencys allocation. Stitt asks lawmakers for $100 million to fund education during ongoing gaming dispute Phone: 405-528-2465. The Senate Appropriations Committee also passed Senate Bill 522, again by Pugh, which would provide a $500 stipend to mentor teachers, regardless of how many people they mentor. The teacher pay raise would cost the state about $110 million, but Pemberton said given the states $2.8 billion in revenue savings collections, its time to strike while the iron is hot., You need to put your priorities out front, Pemberton said. She is term limited after eight years in office. When And I think education, our young people and our teachers need to be a priority.. All opponents were Republicans while those in favor consisted of the remaining Republicans and all Democrats. We can't find teachers, especially in the math and science areas.". 2011-2023 Oklahoma Public Media Exchange. Support Nurias work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com. In Oklahoma, only 28.5 percent of 4th grade students read at grade level, according to NAEP. Oklahoma starts its minimum salary scale at $36,601 for first-year educators. $2 million for Lt. Gov. I know that the Legislature wants to see high outcomes for students, and certainly the Legislature understands that we have to make a priority with kids and their education, Hofmeister said after Thursdaysboard meeting. In the wake of a statewide teacher walkout, the Legislature raised teacher salaries by $6,100in 2018 and by $1,200 in 2019. Pemberton said its up to the legislature to catch Oklahoma up. Minimums and averages include benefits such as retirement plans and health, dental, vision and life insurance. Pemberton said its up to the legislature to catch Oklahoma up. Will the OSDE tell districts how much to spend on pay raises? There is no language in either bill requiring pay raises to begin September 1. That was the last survey taken by the organization prior to the first round of teacher pay increases. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a particularly grueling time for teachers. The appropriated amount covers ten months of that estimate. Beth reports on education topics for StateImpact Oklahoma. Previous pay raises for all educators have proven to increase quality candidates to the profession.". State schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister announced earlier this week she would include the raise in an annual budget request for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. The teacher pay raise bill will take effect on Aug. 1, and will do so regardless of any referendum petition. Then cast your vote, Meet the 2023 Mr. Inside/Mr. Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic, Stanley Hupfeld at Western Village (Charter), Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences (Charter. Gov. The number of students enrolling in teacher preparation programs fell by 80% at Oklahomas colleges and universities, showing a dramatic decline in interest to enter the teaching profession, according to a 2020 report from the Center for Education Progress. This story originally appeared on eSpark and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Can a district include retirement payments for employees as part of the raise calculation? We have to keep pace with the surrounding states, Hofmeister said. The requests will continue to the Legislature, which has the final say on state funding of education. Mike Mazzei, Stitts budget secretary, said the governors focus right now is to protect state finances so state employees can receive pay raises down the road. The $8.3 billion fiscal year 2020 budget is the largest in state history and includes about $500 million in new state spending. The Legislature also boosted overall funding of public schools, allowing districts to use the extra funds for teacher compensation if they chose. 1, but also incentivize them as they continue to grow," Walters said. Charter schools are exempt from minimum salary requirements. The teacher-shortage figure of 600 cited by Pemberton exceeds the shortages reported prior to the 2018 tax increases and pay raises. One of Stitts top priorities is improving the states AA- credit rating, which calls for a conservative budgeting approach, Mazzei said. In addition, all charter schools receive state-appropriated dollars through the funding formula. That means ensuring weve got the people and that investment in the (teacher) workforce.. The raise is estimated to cost $310 million with the price of insurance and retirement benefits included. State Superintendent Ryan Walters wants teacher pay raises tied to student performance, Oklahoman finalist for National Teacher of the Year says cooperation is key to future, said Oklahoma should offer incentive-based raises, suggested the state spend $241 million on his pay-raise plan, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Oklahoma teachers have been given raises over the last four years totalling more than $7,000. StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahomas public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. The Purdue Pharma settlement is still tied up in court, but Stitts budget does not allocate the funding from the Teva settlement, which has already been placed in state account to be used for opioid abatement. What legislation requires salary increases for certified personnel?House Bill 2765 is the General Appropriations bill, and as it relates to salary increases for certified personnel in the public schools, it provides: SECTION 1. In the decade preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, most states saw moderate to more significant drops in students seeking teaching degrees. As a reporter for The Journal Record, Carter received 12 Carl Rogan Awards in four yearsincluding awards for investigative reporting, general news reporting, feature writing, spot news reporting, business reporting, and sports reporting. No later than February 1, 2020, the State Department of Education shall make this data available on its website for public viewing and shall submit a report to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The request also includes a $66 million increase to the education funding formula, the chief source of public school funds. Furthermore, wages that are not keeping up with inflationcombined with increased levels of stress and anxietyare forcing some teachers from the profession. Walters' budget plan differs from the version his predecessor, Joy Hofmeister, put together. This budget request is Hofmeisters last as state superintendent. But Stitts budget guru hinted that offering retirees a 4% cost-of-living adjustment at a cost of $1 billion could be more generous than the state can afford next year. By: Alex Cameron. He told The Center Square he hoped the pay raises would alleviate the state's teacher shortage. Yes. 26-103, to receive the salary increase, regardless of whether employed by an off-the-formula district, a charter school, or otherwise. Read Oklahoma Gov. 9. Moreover, many teachers worried about their own health, particularly as restrictions began to ease and students returned to classrooms. Kevin Stitt and the states top education official, Ryan Walters, said Oklahoma should offer incentive-based raises instead of an across-the-board increase for all teachers. How will OSDE calculate underpaid teachers in FY 20? Districts can decide if they want to give staff a one-time pay increase of $1,200 or a one-time increase in an amount based on performance or the need to retain staff. If a district already pays the employee retirement contribution, the raise is expected to be in addition to that contribution. Are charter schools required to give a pay raise? The number of students completing teacher education programs fell by more than one-third between 2008 and 2019, according to a 2022 report by the AACTE. How is the pay raise funded? To explore this issue, eSpark looked at the numbers behind teacher shortages, citing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Education's Higher Education Act Title II State Report Card System. Are any districts exempt from giving a pay raise? The measure, which the governor backed, would use excess lottery proceeds to pay for half of a teachers raise. Teachers with five through nine years' experience would receive a $4,000 raise. She also questioned what sort of economic downturn it would take to justify tapping state reserves. There is hereby appropriated to the State Board of Education from any monies not otherwise appropriated from the General Revenue Fund of the State Treasury for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, the sum of One Billion Four Hundred Seventy-eight Million One Hundred Five Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($1,478,105,700.00) or so much thereof as may be necessary for the financial support of public schools. Oklahoma must address its teacher shortage and compete with surrounding states that also are mulling pay increases, Pugh said. No. More than four in 10 responded that they "always" or "very often" felt burned out at work. combined with more legislative efforts this year will start attracting new teachers and retaining current teachers. OKLAHOMA CITY The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday passed a teacher pay raise bill and other measures designed to keep educators in the classroom. The National Education Association published figures in April 2022 showing the average teacher salary to be $66,397 for the 2021-2022 school year. As stated above, the expectation is for certified personnel, as defined in 70 O.S. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Teachers in the state earn an average of $54,096 a year. Debate in opposition to the bill centered on concerns that it could negatively impact the teachers retirement system. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time. Tucked within that decline were even deeper reductions in degrees conferred in specialty subjects such as science, mathematics, and foreign languages. After third grade, students without a strong grasp of reading are known to struggle to comprehend classwork. With the appropriation of $58,858,503 and an additional $74,790,265 in funds for operations through the funding formula, the OSDE believes districts will have sufficient funds to follow through with the intent of the Governor and Legislature. Giving Oklahomas teachers a pay raise has been proclaimed as one of the highest priorities of legislators and The measure would move the starting teacher pay to $39,601 from $36,601. Oklahoma lawmakers last approved teacher pay raises in 2018 and 2019, with an average increase of $6,100 and $1,220 respectively. Voters would have to approve raising the cap from 15% of certified collections to 30% through a state question. That bill is also assigned to the Senate Education Committee. The Edmond senator has suggested the state spend $241 million on his pay-raise plan and another $300 million on further education reforms. This allows districts to differentiate pay if desired. Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session to give Oklahoma public school teachers and support staff a raise starting in the 2023-2024 school year. Click here to donate online to support our journalism. StateImpact Oklahoma reports on education, health, environment, and the intersection of government and everyday Oklahomans. The Courts opinion, effectively striking Referendum Petition 25 A survey by the RAND Corporation discovered that 90% of school districts had changed operations in one or more schools during the 20212022 school year because of teacher shortages. He said it would put money toward reading materials, tutoring in the science of reading, dyslexia intervention grants, and hiring high school and college students to assist in schools. Matt Pinnells efforts to create a cohesive brand for the state. No state testing was conducted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 shutdown, but experts believe academic outcomes are even worse today in Oklahoma due in part to some schools refusal to return to full-time, in-person learning. The compromise at the end of session was as follows: districts would receive funding for pay raises, and be expected, but not required, to give an average $1,220 raise, to be annualized in future years. The state has too many needs that have been unmet, Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd said. Giving Oklahomas teachers a pay raise has been proclaimed as one of the highest priorities of legislators and Governor Mary Fallin this session. More:Oklahoma Supreme Court rules school districts, not governor, should decide mask mandates. Senate Bill 28 would give teachers $6,000 over 9 years, divided into three $2,000 raises. Donateonline. offers matching funds to cover half of a pay raise for teachers, filed Senate Bill 482 to increase minimum salaries, House lawmakers were angry when Walters presented Hofmeister's budget request, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. SoonerCare 2.0, financially, doesnt need to be addressed in the FY 21 budget, he said. * Use the following credit line at the end of the story, with oklahomawatch.org hyperlinked online: Oklahoma Watch, atoklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state., by Oklahoma Watch, Oklahoma Watch August 5, 2019, This and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.. Please follow these terms for republication: * Reporters bylines and photographers credit lines should be accompanied by Oklahoma Watch.. The plan could cost $150 million. Reporter Nuria Martinez-Keel covers K-12 and higher education throughout the state of Oklahoma. Both SB 1048 and HB 2765 have an effective date of July 1, 2019. But it isnt possible without your support. A Gallup poll released in June 2022 found that workers in K-12 schools reported the highest rates of burnout of any field in the country. In addition, Senate Bill 1048 is the budget limits bill for the State Board of Education. Republican Gov. $3 million for the governors Quick Action Closing Fund, an economic development fund used to lure businesses and jobs to Oklahoma. SB 1048 plainly states that, [t]he salary increase provided for in this section shall be in addition to, and not as a replacement for, the step increase indicated for the certified employee pursuant to the State Minimum Salary Schedule. (Emphasis added.) Addison Kliewer and Nathan J. Pugh said the cost of the measure would be $250 million. Reporter Nuria Martinez-Keel covers K-12 and higher education throughout the state of Oklahoma. Did the state minimum salary schedule change in the 2019 Legislative Session? The Center for American Progress reported some startling numbers the year before the coronavirus pandemica more than 50% drop in teacher education in nine states. 26-103, to receive the salary increase, regardless of whether employed by a traditional public or public charter school. The measure would move the starting teacher pay to$39,601 from $36,601. In that section of law, certified personnel is defined to mean a certified person employed on a full-time basis to serve as a teacher, principal, supervisor, administrator, counselor, librarian, or certified or registered nurse, but shall not mean a superintendent of a school district. The salary increase, like last years, will not include district superintendents. "We had 3,338 emergency certifications last year," he said. Surrounding states start teachers off at higher wages. Senate Bill 482 would raise the base salary for public-school teachers in their first four years of service by $3,000. We are hurting for people., Director, Center for Independent Journalism. House legal staff instructed Walters to present his predecessor's budget plan, which he promised to change, because the state Board of Education hadn't yet approved an amendment to it. The state board approves the Education Departments budget ask every year. Kim Jarrett's career spans over 30 years with stops in radio, print and television. SB 1048 explicitly provides that $58,858,503 of what is appropriated to the financial support of public schools from the General Revenue Fund in the General Appropriations bill (HB 2765) shall be used for a salary increase, in addition to and not a replacement for the step increase provided in the state minimum salary schedule. For support staff and paraprofessionals, its a little more complicated: would give districts $1,200 per support staff member. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. More: Oklahoman finalist for 1 in the region this year. Therefore, pay increases in the 2019-2020 school year must be in addition to the teachers step increase based on years of experience and degree level. "We're running about the same number this year. This document is not intended to serve as legal advice, but is general in nature and reflects the questions OSDE has received as of June 24, 2019. Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Initiative Program, $2.8 billion in revenue savings collections, A look at approaches to address violent crime, The U.S. is playing catch-up in the EV battery market, says Biden energy adviser, Walgreens won't sell abortion pills in red states that threatened legal action, How this year's Selma Bridge Crossing could mark a community renaissance. But even then, Oklahomas again fallen behind neighboring states. Is the increase including or in addition to the step? New legislation enacted this year offers matching funds to raise the salaries of certain teachers who earn specific credentials and mentor other educators. We are anticipating a large number of positions to be open in the next two or three years, and the colleges of education will tell you we are not seeing a big increase in the number of individuals or young people going into education, Pemberton said. The committee also passed Senate Bill 364, also by Pugh, to provide 12 weeks of paid maternity leave to teachers. By: David Blatt. The leader of the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, filed Senate Bill 482 to increase minimum salaries by $3,000 for teachers with under 15 years of experience and by $6,000 for educators with a 15-year career or longer. StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership among Oklahomas public radio stations and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Some House lawmakers were angry when Walters presented Hofmeister's budget request, not his own, in a hearing at the Capitol on Tuesday. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images, In a van outside OUs Lloyd Noble Center, Doc Sadler lives out another season in 45 years of coaching, Broken Arrow's Tanner Charles making debut on 'American Idol', Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, 'Reservation Dogs' open casting event seeks Indigenous people, Tulsa City Council passes welcoming-city resolution without emphasis on LGBTQ residents, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Gov. The state Board of Education has approved 3,593emergency teaching certifications this year, including a record number issued in a single month this summer, indicating traditionally qualified teacher candidates are still hard to come by. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of Enrolled House Bill 2765 of the 1st Session of the 57th Oklahoma Legislature, Fifty-eight Million Eight Hundred Fifty-eight Thousand Five Hundred Three Dollars ($58,858,503.00) shall be used for the purpose of providing an increase in compensation for certified personnel as defined by Section 26-103 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The minimum and average salary amounts include benefits. I think there are significant steps the state needs to intentionally and very publicly take to show teachers that were serious about the work that theyre doing, that we need them and want them in the classroom, Pugh said. For support staff and paraprofessionals, its a little more complicated: Senate Bill 25 would give districts $1,200 per support staff member. If Pembertons bills pass, he said it wouldnt prohibit the legislature from implementing more raises in the future. Posted by SDEmedia on Mon, 06/24/2019 - 4:36pm. A reminder: This raise is permanent and recurring, and State Law prohibits a teachers salary from being reduced from one year to the next. 10. $4.9 million for the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority for physician recruitment and equipment needs. Districts can decide if they want to give staff a one-time pay increase of $1,200 or a one-time increase in an amount based on performance or the need to retain staff. The cost to the state would be $1.6 million, Pugh said. SB 1048 requires school districts to report the amount of increase in compensation each teacher received by December 31, 2019, and requires the OSDE to make this data available on its website and in a report to the Pro Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the House by February 1, 2020. The expectation is for all LEAs, including those not receiving state appropriated dollars through the funding formula (commonly referred to as off the formula districts). Among public school teachers who stopped teaching after March 2020 but before they were scheduled to retire, almost half did so because of the pandemic. In fact, the measures plainly state that the increases in salary are in addition to (i.e., separate and apart from) what may be reflected in the Minimum Salary Schedule. No. "The metrics used to determine merit-based pay are controversial and inequitable," OEA President Katherine Bishop said. The incentives would range from $2,500 to $10,000 and would be in addition to the minimum salary schedule, according to the proposal. A districts salary averages are affected by both its salary policies and the experience level of its teachers. A chronic teacher shortage persists in Oklahoma. Ateachersminimum starting salary would, for the first time, exceed $40,000 in the state. Oklahoma teachers have been given raises over the last four years totalling more than $7,000. The Oklahoma Board of Education voted to give teachers a $5,000 pay raise as part of its proposed $3.5 billion education budget for 2024. New teachers in Texas start at $44,527. Changes in enrollment is one causative behind this drop. COVID appears to have increased the stress of an already stressful job. If Pembertons bills pass, he said it wouldnt prohibit the legislature from implementing more raises in the future. At 88, Inhofe says he intends to still be involved in politics but admits to still suffering the long-term effects of COVID-19. StateImpact Oklahoma isa collaboration of KGOU, KOSU, KWGS and KCCU. 1. The budget proposal includes $11 million to annualize the teacher pay raises appropriated this year. * An interlocal cooperative, or ILC, is an educational service organization than handles duties for a group of school districts or counties. WebTeachers Retirement System 301 NW 63rd Street, Suite 500 Oklahoma City, OK 73116-7921 Toll-free at 877-738-6365 (TRS-RET-OFOK) or in Oklahoma City at 405-521-2387. The underpaid teacher report for FY 20 will be based on the existing Minimum Salary Schedule in 70 OS 18-114.14. The states share of Medicaid expansion, which would be between $100 million and $150 million does not need to be appropriated next year, Mazzei said. Only five states had a lower share of students scoring proficient in 8th grade math than Oklahoma. 13. SB 1048 identifies certified personnel as defined by 70 O.S. 26-103 as the target of the appropriated funds for pay increases. He previously served as senior Capitol reporter for The Journal Record, media director for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and chief editorial writer at The Oklahoman. I have worked for the Tulsa World since 1990. A $5,000 teacher pay raise proposal will advance to the state Legislature after passing a Thursday vote by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The proposed budget appropriates The teacher pay raise would cost the state about $110 million, but Pemberton said given the states $2.8 billion in revenue savings collections, its time to strike while the iron is hot., You need to put your priorities out front, Pemberton said.