Education Funding - some interesting details

[cableok]

I had a great opportunity to spend a couple of hours with some state government affairs leaders about the most recent Education Funding bills. The discussion was not partisan, but just informative.

1. Teacher Pay Raises Almost Passed Several Times in Last Months:
   1. A+ Plan (HB1054x): November 2017. $3K teacher pay raise & $1K state employee raise. It barely failed in House 71-27 (75 votes were required). Republicans are to be blamed for failure.
   2. Step-up OK Plan (HB1033xx) February 2018. $5K teacher pay raise & $2.5K state employee. Failed 63-25. Dems to blame (even though OEA endorsed this bill). Specifically Scott Inman (who is term-limited)
   3. Senate version of (HB1033xx). Because there was more than 50% yea votes on the HB, the Senate was able to discuss. They tried 12.7% raise for teachers. $2.5K for state employees. Failed 34-12 (needed 36 votes)
2. Walkout tactics did not generate legislation. All revenue items were either passed, agreed or signed into legislation prior to walkout starting (note: save HB3375 below)
3. HB1019 (3rd party Amazon) and HB3375 (Gaming Modernization): HB1019 was already agreed as a replacement for hotel/motel. HB3375 was a gap measure that many thought would fill the hole, but not fully agreed prior to walkout
4. HOTEL/MOTEL Repeal was not hidden. This was one of the more fascinating items I heard. The hotel/motel repeal was agreed upon by all leadership (majority and minority). A couple of minority House members misinformed some teachers and that is why this repeal gained more steam in news.
5. Capital Gains exemption. The House did NOT vote on the capital gains exemption. By procedural rule they could not bring it up again during the session because it had already failed. The vote that social media said was a vote against the exemption was a vote not to overturn House procedure.
6. Consolidation Bill: There is a school district consolidation bill in the House (I believe it is HB1046xx). This bill is apparently dead on arrival because Majority Speaker is not happy with bill authors. Bill authors are a part of the 17 or so members of Republican Party that vote no on every tax increase.
7. Teacher Salaries Now: After (HB1023xx) the average teacher salary in Oklahoma next year will be $51,376. That ranks 28th in the nation. And in the region, 2nd in salary and 1st in benefits
8. What do “x’s” mean after bill number?: The X’s designate the number of special sessions. Also, revenue bills that are special session bills can be implemented within 90-days. Regular bills cannot be implemented as fast. For example, HB3375 (ball and dice) is regular session and will take longer than 90-days.

Hope you found this informative. I sure did and it was fun hearing the back stories to several of these bills.

 

[CowboyPhil]

So the consolidation bill is DOA because the Speaker got his feelers hurt? Or because some people aren't towing the party line?

Are we electing 1st graders to our legislature?

I don't care who introduces whatever bill, if it is good legislation for the state then it should be considered.

 

[long-duc-dong]

So now 27 states care about the children more than us redneck hicks in the state of Oklahoma. Unacceptable!

 

[CSCOTTOSUPOKES]

So the consolidation bill is DOA because the Speaker got his feelers hurt? Or because some people aren't towing the party line?

Are we electing 1st graders to our legislature?

I don't care who introduces whatever bill, if it is good legislation for the state then it should be considered.

Class size is one of the teachers’ complaints. It’s very debatable that consolidation is going to work.

 

[CowboyPhil]

You keep bringing up bussing and class size and all of these excuses for not consolidating.

Consolidation of districts does not mean you have to fire 1 teacher, or shutter 1 school. It is a consolidation of the administration that administers the districts.Yes superintendents and staff will lose jobs. It's called cutting waste.

 

[CBradSmith]

You keep bringing up bussing and class size and all of these excuses for not consolidating.

Consolidation of districts does not mean you have to fire 1 teacher, or shutter 1 school. It is a consolidation of the administration that administers the districts.Yes superintendents and staff will lose jobs. It's called cutting waste.

Consider who you're responding to.
That said, very kind of you to indulge him.

 

[CSCOTTOSUPOKES]

https://www.ericdigests.org/pre-925/school.htm

 

[Pancreek1]

I had a great opportunity to spend a couple of hours with some state government affairs leaders about the most recent Education Funding bills. The discussion was not partisan, but just informative.

1. Teacher Pay Raises Almost Passed Several Times in Last Months:
   1. A+ Plan (HB1054x): November 2017. $3K teacher pay raise & $1K state employee raise. It barely failed in House 71-27 (75 votes were required). Republicans are to be blamed for failure.
   2. Step-up OK Plan (HB1033xx) February 2018. $5K teacher pay raise & $2.5K state employee. Failed 63-25. Dems to blame (even though OEA endorsed this bill). Specifically Scott Inman (who is term-limited)
   3. Senate version of (HB1033xx). Because there was more than 50% yea votes on the HB, the Senate was able to discuss. They tried 12.7% raise for teachers. $2.5K for state employees. Failed 34-12 (needed 36 votes)
2. Walkout tactics did not generate legislation. All revenue items were either passed, agreed or signed into legislation prior to walkout starting (note: save HB3375 below)
3. HB1019 (3rd party Amazon) and HB3375 (Gaming Modernization): HB1019 was already agreed as a replacement for hotel/motel. HB3375 was a gap measure that many thought would fill the hole, but not fully agreed prior to walkout
4. HOTEL/MOTEL Repeal was not hidden. This was one of the more fascinating items I heard. The hotel/motel repeal was agreed upon by all leadership (majority and minority). A couple of minority House members misinformed some teachers and that is why this repeal gained more steam in news.
5. Capital Gains exemption. The House did NOT vote on the capital gains exemption. By procedural rule they could not bring it up again during the session because it had already failed. The vote that social media said was a vote against the exemption was a vote not to overturn House procedure.
6. Consolidation Bill: There is a school district consolidation bill in the House (I believe it is HB1046xx). This bill is apparently dead on arrival because Majority Speaker is not happy with bill authors. Bill authors are a part of the 17 or so members of Republican Party that vote no on every tax increase.
7. Teacher Salaries Now: After (HB1023xx) the average teacher salary in Oklahoma next year will be $51,376. That ranks 28th in the nation. And in the region, 2nd in salary and 1st in benefits
8. What do “x’s” mean after bill number?: The X’s designate the number of special sessions. Also, revenue bills that are special session bills can be implemented within 90-days. Regular bills cannot be implemented as fast. For example, HB3375 (ball and dice) is regular session and will take longer than 90-days.

Hope you found this informative. I sure did and it was fun hearing the back stories to several of these bills.

I'm not sure where the actual data comes from but the 51,376 average next year doesn't add up to any data presented by any source up until your post.

I think the differences come up between grade school, middle school and high school averages. I believe the 51,376 number seems to correlate when considering the existing average for high school teachers with the new raise, but the numbers for average across all three classes (elementary, junior high and HS) seem to be closer to 48k (42+6 raise). Median and Mean in the US is around 59k.

So propaganda to say they are 28th is a little (or a lot) misleading. They are still WELL below (18%+ below) average, which is the only thing that matters. It is still embarrassing when you consider this isn't about teacher's salaries. It is also about funding for education aside from the teachers pay (Books, class sizes, etc)

 

[cableok]

I'm not sure where the actual data comes from but the 51,376 average next year doesn't add up to any data presented by any source up until your post.

I think the differences come up between grade school, middle school and high school averages. I believe the 51,376 number seems to correlate when considering the existing average for high school teachers with the new raise, but the numbers for average across all three classes (elementary, junior high and HS) seem to be closer to 48k (42+6 raise). Median and Mean in the US is around 59k.

So propaganda to say they are 28th is a little (or a lot) misleading. They are still WELL below (18%+ below) average, which is the only thing that matters. It is still embarrassing when you consider this isn't about teacher's salaries. It is also about funding for education aside from the teachers pay (Books, class sizes, etc)

That is the number they provided.
Just a quick google and the OK average teacher salary I listed above appears to be about right.

• According to http://www.teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state/ the current OK average teacher pay is $44.3k so adding $6.1k is just shy of the number and then if you add one year of step-up younare probably right at the number.
• According to NEA, http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/NEA_Rankings_And_Estimates-2015-03-11a.pdf Oklahoma average teacher pay was $44,300 in 2015. Adding a couple of years of step ups and the $6100 and the salary I listed above does appear correct.

You mention 28th is below average. But we are now 2nd in region and 1st in benefits. And COLA is much better than most every state above us. When COLA is applied we are top 15.

 

[CSCOTTOSUPOKES]

https://www.google.com/amp/www.cour...te-consolidation-plan-20180122-story,amp.html

https://www.google.com/amp/www.chic...-englewood-south-loop-20171201-story,amp.html

Consider who you're responding to.
That said, very kind of you to indulge him.

 

[CSCOTTOSUPOKES]

LOL this is too easy @CBradSmith try harder haha

 

[cableok]

https://www.google.com/amp/www.cour...te-consolidation-plan-20180122-story,amp.html

https://www.google.com/amp/www.chic...-englewood-south-loop-20171201-story,amp.html

You realize the stories you linked were about consolidation and closing of schools WITHIN a school district?
All the consolidation plans that have been introduced in the OK legislature, at least since 2012, are about consolidating school DISTRICTS (ie reducing redundant administrarion).

 

[CSCOTTOSUPOKES]

You realize the stories you linked were about consolidation and closing of schools WITHIN a school district?
All the consolidation plans that have been introduced in the OK legislature, at least since 2012, are about consolidating school DISTRICTS (ie reducing redundant administrarion).

I get that, but to assume no schools would close is presumptive naivety IMO. Consolidation has historically resulted in buildings closing. I’m all for efficiency btw, but I’m skeptical the positives will outweigh the negatives.

We’ll see.

 

[CowboyPhil]

https://www.ericdigests.org/pre-925/school.htm

This is school consolidation.

No one but you is talking about SCHOOL consolidation.

We are talking about SCHOOL DISTRICTS consolidation.

 

[CBradSmith]

I get that, but to assume no schools would close is presumptive naivety IMO. Consolidation has historically resulted in buildings closing. I’m all for efficiency btw, but I’m skeptical the positives will outweigh the negatives.

We’ll see.

I can see why your career as a recruiting analyst was so lucrative.

 

[CSCOTTOSUPOKES]

I can see why your career as a recruiting analyst was so lucrative.

“Drama queen” lol

 

[CBradSmith]

“Drama queen” lol

"Recruiting Analyst" lol

"School Consolidation Analyst" lol

Carry on

 

[CSCOTTOSUPOKES]

"Recruiting Analyst" lol

"School Consolidation Analyst" lol

Carry on

Regurgitated, unoriginal Brad lol

Carry on.

 

[CBradSmith]

Regurgitated, unoriginal Brad lol

Carry on.

Got me. Damn.