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House Passes Bill To Raise Teacher Pay, Union Says "April 2 is still on"

In a late-night attempt to stave off a statewide teacher walkout, the Oklahoma House passed a series of bills that gives teachers a $5,000 to $7,000 raise – depending on their experience.

The package of bills also raises pay for school support staff and state employees, however it’s not clear if the legislation – as written – is enough to keep teachers from descending on the Capitol on April 2nd.

In a brief statement, the state’s largest teachers union — the Oklahoma Education Association — said it’s is a step in the right direction, “but our ask is still our ask.”

The union wants a $10,000 pay raise over three years. If lawmakers don’t hit the $10,000 mark this session, the union wants assurances lawmakers will increase pay over the next two years.

Debate on the measures now starts in the Senate.

 

Copyright 2021 StateImpact Oklahoma. To see more, visit StateImpact Oklahoma.

Emily Wendler
In graduate school at the University of Montana, Emily Wendler focused on Environmental Science and Natural Resource reporting with an emphasis on agriculture. About halfway through her Master’s program a professor introduced her to radio and she fell in love. She has since reported for KBGA, the University of Montana’s college radio station and Montana’s PBS Newsbrief. She was a finalist in a national in-depth radio reporting competition for an investigatory piece she produced on campus rape. She also produced in-depth reports on wind energy and local food for Montana Public Radio. She is very excited to be working in Oklahoma City, and you can hear her work on all things from education to agriculture right here on KOSU.