Denny, Halligan Express Concerns Over Funding Teacher Pay Hike

Okla. lawmakers concerned about teacher pay hikes
By SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two state legislators who oversee funding for public education in Oklahoma raised concerns Monday about state Superintendent Janet Barresi’s proposal to fund $2,000 annual teacher raises from local district carry-over funds.

Rep. Lee Denney and Sen. Jim Halligan, both Republicans from Stillwater, said they support Barresi’s goal of increasing teacher pay, but acknowledged it would be difficult for the Legislature to come up with the $100 million needed to fund the plan each year.

Denney and Halligan chair the appropriations subcommittees for education in the House and Senate, respectively.

“I’m very excited about the thought that we might be able to give our teachers raises, but being in the business I’m in, I certainly worry about a funding source, and a dedicated funding source, so that we could keep the raises funded every year,” Denney said.

Read the compete story from the AP.