House Democrats Urge Increased Education Funding
Oklahoma House Democrats decry education funding
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Democrats in the Oklahoma House are urging the Legislature to increase funding for public education.
Democratic House members joined school superintendents, principals, teachers and students Wednesday in calling for new funding for state schools.
Liberty Public Schools Superintendent Donna Campo says more than $117 million in new funding is needed to maintain schools at current levels. But Campo says budget negotiators are considering less than half that amount for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Legislation passed a decade ago requires lawmakers to present a public school budget to the governor no later than April 1 — but there is no penalty for missing the deadline.
School districts face an April deadline for notifying certified teachers if their contracts will be renewed for the following school year.