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State Department of Education "Bracing" for Cuts

Department of Education

Oklahoma faces a budget shortfall of up to $1 billion for the next fiscal year, and that’s causing concern at the state department of education.

"We're bracing ourselves for cuts," said State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. "Really, we're anticipating cuts. We've been told to anticipate those cuts. Part of those, I think, cuts are going to hit the classroom."

Hofmeister warns any cuts will have consequences.

"We're really going to see our education attainment and momentum stall, so I'm going to fiercely defend what I believe our kids need that is essential for growth," Hofmeister said.

Hofmeister has been outspoken about the need for teacher pay raises and continued investment in the state’s public schools. But she’s not in a hurry to support a tax increase.

Hofmeister says a one-cent sales tax initiative and other potential funding proposals face a lot of hurdles, and right now, she’s working with the governor’s office to find money that can be reallocated to classrooms or teacher pay.

Hofmeister said they’ve found a report the law requires every year that could be done less frequently. She said it takes up a lot of time statewide.

"It's over 40,000 hours, and the cost to that is over $700,000. That's one report," Hofmeister said.

Hofmeister said she welcomes any proposals for increasing education funding.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.