Oklahoma Governor Henry Pushes Teacher Pay Raise

January 23, 2008 -- (Oklahoma City) Saying elected officials must keep their promise to Oklahoma teachers, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today urged state lawmakers to act this legislative session to complete a five-year effort to raise educators’ salaries to the regional average.

The governor estimates it will take an average $1,200 pay increase to take Oklahoma teachers to the regional level.

“We have great teachers in Oklahoma, but until we pay them a competitive wage, we will continue to lose our best and brightest educators to Texas and other states that offer better salaries,” said Gov. Henry. “We need to keep the promise we made to our teachers and raise their pay to the regional average.”

In 2004, state lawmakers approved Gov. Henry’s plan to increase teacher health benefits and raise salaries to the regional average. The Legislature has increased compensation incrementally over the past four years, but has not yet taken Oklahoma educators to the regional rate.

According to the most current salary data reported by the states to the National Education Association*, the average teacher salary in Oklahoma is $42,379; the regional average is $43,519; and the national average is $50,816.

The Office of State Finance estimates a $1,200 pay hike would cost approximately $68.5 million. As in previous years, Gov. Henry’s proposal would be weighted toward veteran teachers, with educators receiving larger pay increases based on their years of service.

“This is not an across-the-board raise. The more classroom experience a teacher has, the larger the pay raise,” said the governor.

Although state revenues are tight this year, Gov. Henry said lawmakers can locate enough money in the state’s $7 billion budget to pay for teacher raises. The governor will propose a number of efficiency measures in his executive budget in an effort to free up additional resources for priority areas.

“If we make the most of our limited resources and direct them where they will do the most good, we can make real progress this year and keep our commitment on teacher pay,” said Gov. Henry.

Oklahoma was chided in a recent national report for not paying its teachers a better salary. Quality Counts, an annual report by Education Week, gave Oklahoma a C- for teacher pay, noting that teachers were paid only 82 cents on the dollar in comparison to other professions.

Gov. Henry said those findings don’t help Oklahoma when it comes to competing for new jobs and industry.

“By making teachers and public education a top funding priority, we send the message that Oklahoma is committed to building a highly educated workforce to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow. That approach helps our citizens and makes our state more attractive for new and expanding business and industry,” the governor said.

Gov. Henry will present his entire executive budget proposal to state lawmakers on Feb. 4 when they convene their regular session.

*OSF contacted each state to obtain the most current salary data reported to NEA. The data is from FY-2007.

Source: Oklahoma Governor

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •