Barresi Thankful for $91 Million Extra in Budget

Superintendent Barresi Thankful for $91 Million Extra in Budget

OKLAHOMA CITY May 2, 2013) – State Superintendent Janet Barresi received word on Thursday afternoon that preK-12 education would receive $91 million in new funds. The news came when details of the state’s budget were released at the Capitol.

Oklahoma public schools received $74 million in new money for Fiscal Year 2014 and an additional $17 million in supplemental funds for Fiscal Year 2013. The supplemental funds are for the Flexible Benefits allowance for educators and ad valorem reimbursement.

“We appreciate the $91 million commitment to common education and the promise to fund education reforms,” Barresi said. “Unfortunately, this does not meet all the needs of school districts or account for the growing population of students in the state in total. We are thankful, however, that common education is a priority of our lawmakers. Historically, common education receives about 35 percent of the state budget. With this budget deal, we received 43 percent of the new money available.”

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