This week, the Oklahoma Senate fell two votes short on a plan to fund a 12.7 percent across-the-board teacher pay increase, while House Republicans announced an unfunded proposal for six years of stepped raises.
Neither plan has the blessing of the Oklahoma Education Association, which is demanding a $10,000 raise over three years for teachers.
"I think the $5,000 amount that they were talking about this week is a reasonable start, and they talked about a six-year plan and maybe being able to increase that based upon years of service that a teacher’s been teaching. I think that’s reasonable," said Gov. Mary Fallin on Friday. "But also the OEA has to be reasonable by how much the state can afford since we’ve been in an economic downturn."
OEA is also calling for support staff and public employee raises, and for increased health and common education funding, a spending package that would cost $812 million next year.
Fallin said all funding options are on the table but a plan could be hard to come by.
"Because it’s been very difficult with having to get a revenue measure that requires 75 percent of the vote in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. We haven’t been able to make that yet," Fallin said.
OEA is threatening a walkout on April 2 if state lawmakers don’t come up with a plan by April 1. Fallin said she hopes the demonstration doesn’t interrupt things like standardized testing or graduation.
"We don’t want to disturb a child’s education and put them behind, so I think we all have to be respectful of what we’re trying to accomplish, say your voice," Fallin said. "But I’m hoping that the walkout will be short and will be to the point and we’ll be able to get something done."
