COMPETING PLANS

It seems at this time that we have varied interests with competing priorities at the Capitol as it relates to public education funding and teacher pay.

● January 8: Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, Chair of both the Senate Education and Senate Appropriations Education Subcommittee, released his EducationPlan which he said originated from his conversations with over superintendents from across the state.

● January : State Superintendent Ryan Walters garnered approval for his educationbudgetandplan from the State Board of Education.

● February : Governor J. Kevin Stitt identified his education priorities in his StateoftheStateAddress.

● February : The House of Representatives approved the House Education Plan throughHB and HB . View the BPS notes on this planhere.

The very positive news in all of this is that it appears Oklahomawillhavethelargestbudgetinstatehistory, and there is interest among all branches of government to apply some of that budget to education.Ouradvocacywillbeasimportantaseverasdecisions aboutHOWtobudgetforpubliceducationaremade.

Bps Panel Sessions

The district, alongside Bixby PLAC, is hosting a series of panel sessions to help our community better understand school finance.

The first session, The Implications of Vouchers was last Friday. / .

● View the Slides

● Watch the Video

UpcomingSessions:

Mar : School Finance

Mar : Teacher Pay/Compensation, Class Sizes, Impact of State Funding Learn more!

HB by Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow,- Schools; class size limitations reduced from to 8 (grades - )/ to (grades - ); modifying certain class size limits; providing stipend for certain teachers in classes that exceed class size, there is no funding for this currently. Funding proposed:

● $ , per extra student

● $ , maximum

HB by Rep. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, requires classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity not occur in kindergarten through grade five or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.

HB by Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, permits a school district to issue an alternate diploma for students who qualify for OAAP.

HB by Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore,The proposed committee substitute for HB 9 imposes a moratorium on the State Board of Education's ability to approve and impose new school accreditation rules without specific legislative authorization. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability must review and prepare a report, by January , , of all statutes and rules the State Board uses to determine school accreditation and deficiencies.

HB by Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman,provides students with an excused absence for attending mental health counseling and occupational therapy appointments.

HB by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa,modifies the frequency requirements for certain teacher professional development programs.

HB by Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon,modifies the Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation (TLE) System.

HB by Rep. Boatman, R- Tulsa, requires schools to provide free school meals to certain children whose families earn up to % of the federal poverty level during the next two school years.

HB by Rep. Vancuren, R-Owasso, prohibiting loss or transferability of accumulated sick leave for teachers and support employees due to break in employment.

HB by Reps. Hefner & McBride, enacts the Oklahoma's Promise Inclusive Act, provides scholarships to students attending qualified postsecondary programs designed to support students with intellectual disabilities.

HB by Rep. Waldron, R-Tulsa, addresses evaluating teacher certification pathways and establishes the Data Governance Council.

HB by Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, deletes requirement limiting student transportation within boundaries of the school district. The bill allows a board of education to provide transportation to students living outside of the boundaries and routes established by the State Board of Education.