OK State Board of Ed. approves Hofmeister's budget request
On Monday, Sept. 19 the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmiester included a $5000 raise for teachers and additional funds for support staff in the annual budget request.
When making this request, Hofmeister said “We’ve significantly raised teacher pay in recent years, but so did our neighboring states with whom we are competing. This investment is vital to our ability to build a sustainable teacher workforce, necessary for providing the high-quality education Oklahoma students need and deserve.”
The last time Oklahoma teachers received an official pay raise was in 2018 when they received $6,100 and an additional salary increase averaging $1,220 in 2019.
On Thursday, Sept. 22, the State Board of Education members in attendance unanimously approved the $3.57 billion request. Included in this were additional operational funds for rising costs and student growth, funds for instructional materials, SoonerStart, alternative education programs, Teacher Retirement System, a bonus for Psychologists, Speech Pathologists, and Audiologists, plus much more.
OEA President Katherine Bishop responded saying:
“We are thrilled to see the Oklahoma educator shortage being addressed through realistic and concerted steps to ensure teachers and support staff receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.
Oklahoma teachers currently earn 32% less than other professionals with commensurate degrees and have been stretched thin during an extended staffing shortage.
Our students and the educators who serve them deserve leadership willing to invest in their future.”
To read the full budget breakdown visit: 2024 Budget Book
