Lawmakers are also introducing bills that would give teachers pay raises. Therefore, pay increases in the 2019-2020 school year must be in addition to the teachers step increase based on years of experience and degree level. Oklahoma starts its minimum salary scale at $36,601 for first-year educators. The teacher pay boost would be Oklahomas first in three years, if lawmakers approve it. Teacher Salaries by District - Oklahoma Watch "We're running about the same number this year. She can be reached at nmartinez-keel@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @NuriaMKeel. State schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister announced earlier this week she would include the raise in an annual budget request for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. 2. Senate Bill 482, if passed, would prompt the state's first wage increase in four years for Oklahoma teachers. Stitt unveiled Monday his executive budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Oklahoma Pemberton said he hopes measures passed last year like the, Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Initiative Program. Walters called the $100 million proposal the "most comprehensive reading plan in the country," though the specifics of each initiative within it are still hazy. 12. $2 million for Lt. Gov. A high estimate of the cost to the state would be $25 million, he said. Giving Oklahomas teachers a pay raise has been proclaimed as one of the highest priorities of legislators and Governor Mary Fallin this session. WebTeachers Retirement System 301 NW 63rd Street, Suite 500 Oklahoma City, OK 73116-7921 Toll-free at 877-738-6365 (TRS-RET-OFOK) or in Oklahoma City at 405-521-2387. While at The Oklahoman, he was the recipient of several awards, including first place in the editorial writing category of the Associated Press/Oklahoma News Executives Carl Rogan Memorial News Excellence Competition for an editorial on the history of racism in the Oklahoma legislature. In fact, the measures plainly state that the increases in salary are in addition to (i.e., separate and apart from) what may be reflected in the Minimum Salary Schedule. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images, In a van outside OUs Lloyd Noble Center, Doc Sadler lives out another season in 45 years of coaching, Broken Arrow's Tanner Charles making debut on 'American Idol', Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, 'Reservation Dogs' open casting event seeks Indigenous people, Tulsa City Council passes welcoming-city resolution without emphasis on LGBTQ residents, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Gov. Charter schools like this one are slated to reap the biggest benefits from a recent State Board of Education action to equalize funding between charter and traditional public schools. Governor, Senate, and House leadership announce FY 2020 Despite recent legislative efforts to bolster salaries, a 2020-2021 pay analysis found that Oklahoma now ranks in the bottom half of states in teacher compensation, fourth in the region, 45th nationally in per-pupil expenditures, and dead last in what it pays support professionals. The aforementioned legislation makes clear that certified personnel, as defined in 70 O.S. ** Charter schools are exempt from minimum salary requirements. Oklahoma legislator files bills for teacher, support staff pay In a press conference before the start of the Legislative Session, he estimated the maternity leave measure to cost $25 million. But even then, Oklahomas again fallen behind neighboring states. The states share of Medicaid expansion, which would be between $100 million and $150 million does not need to be appropriated next year, Mazzei said. If Pembertons bills pass, he said it wouldnt prohibit the legislature from implementing more raises in the future. The state minimum salary was increased at all years of experience and degree levels by an average of $6,100. The state last increased minimum teacher pay in 2019 with a Mazzei said the governor is hoping to tackle broad tax code changes next year so he plans to shy away from approving new tax credits this year. Oklahoma teachers received a raise in pay in 2018, which is reflected in the table below. Gov. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1 of Enrolled House Bill 2765 of the 1st Session of the 57th Oklahoma Legislature, Fifty-eight Million Eight Hundred Fifty-eight Thousand Five Hundred Three Dollars ($58,858,503.00) shall be used for the purpose of providing an increase in compensation for certified personnel as defined by Section 26-103 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The Senate Education Committee passed the bill from chairperson Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, without objection. 1 in the region this year. If a district already pays the employee retirement contribution, the raise is expected to be in addition to that contribution. Stitt asks lawmakers for $100 million to fund education during ongoing gaming dispute By December 31, 2019, school districts shall report to the State Department of Education the amount of increase in compensation each teacher received as a result of these funds. The governor also proposes doubling the capacity of the states Rainy Day Fund so it can hold up to $2 billion. First through fourth-year teachers would see $3,000 raises. The downward trend comes against a background in which Oklahomas public schools were already producing some of the worst academic outcomes in the nation even after the recent infusion of state funding through tax increases and federal COVID-19 bailout funding. New legislation enacted this year offers matching funds to raise the salaries of certain teachers who earn specific credentials and mentor other educators. Between the 1999-2000 and the 2017-2018 school years, the number of full- and part-time public school teachers rose 18% to 3.5 million teachers, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. An additional salary increase averaging $1,220 passed in 2019 is not reflected here; funding for that raise was added to the funding formula, and the minimum salary schedule didnt change. 17. The sharpest drops came in specialty subjects such as bilingual education, math, science, and special education. Mike Mazzei, Stitts budget secretary, said the governors focus right now is to protect state finances so state employees can receive pay raises down the road. State Superintendent Ryan Walters wants teacher pay raises tied to student performance, Oklahoman finalist for National Teacher of the Year says cooperation is key to future, said Oklahoma should offer incentive-based raises, suggested the state spend $241 million on his pay-raise plan, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Are any districts exempt from giving a pay raise? Senate Bill 482, by Senate Education Committee Chairman Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, would increase the minimum teacher salary schedule. Did the state minimum salary schedule change in the 2019 Legislative Session? The committee also passed Senate Bill 364, also by Pugh, to provide 12 weeks of paid maternity leave to teachers. No later than February 1, 2020, the State Department of Education shall make this data available on its website for public viewing and shall submit a report to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. More: Oklahoman finalist for Of those funds appropriated, the State Board of Education shall designate Fifty-eight Million Eight Hundred Fifty-eight Thousand Five Hundred Three Dollars ($58,858,503.00) for increased compensation for certified personnel as defined by Section 26-103 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. 9 Investigates: Oklahoma Still Losing Teachers Despite Pay Raises. Oklahoma 26-103, to receive the salary increase, regardless of whether employed by an off-the-formula district, a charter school, or otherwise. The measure would move the starting teacher pay to$39,601 from $36,601. Teachers in the state earn an average of $54,096 a year. That figure broke down just about evenly at the elementary and secondary education levels. Senate Bill 28 would give teachers $6,000 over 9 years, divided into three $2,000 raises. We had over 600 teaching positions we couldnt fill this last year, and with the possibility of retirements this year after the three-year teacher high on the new teacher pay raises, we could see a lot higher retirements, so were going to have trouble filling, said Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee. We already have a teacher shortage, now the pipeline is almost empty. It is clear that the pay raise legislation is intended to give districts the maximum flexibility in implementing pay raises. You can cancel at any time. The intent and expectation is for certified personnel, as defined in 70 O.S. Does the amount appropriated include district obligations? SB 1048 appropriates $58,858,503 to be used for the purpose of providing an increase in compensation for certified personnel. This funding comes from the total amount appropriated to the financial support of public schools from the General Revenue Fund in the General Appropriations Bill, HB 2765. Arkansas Gov. The Senate Appropriations Committee also passed Senate Bill 522, again by Pugh, which would provide a $500 stipend to mentor teachers, regardless of how many people they mentor. SB 1048 plainly states that, [t]he salary increase provided for in this section shall be in addition to, and not as a replacement for, the step increase indicated for the certified employee pursuant to the State Minimum Salary Schedule. (Emphasis added.) 6. Section 1 of HB 2765 and all of SB 1048 are effective July 1, 2019. Walters' budget plan differs from the version his predecessor, Joy Hofmeister, put together. Were trying everything we can to get young people back involved and keep older teachers in the system.. The minimum for a first-year teacher with a The vast majority of those funds would pass through the agency to public schools. 2011-2023 Oklahoma Public Media Exchange. Stitts budget proposes funding $25.3 million in gubernatorial priorities. The cost for a $1,200 pay raise for twelve months is $70,630,204. * An interlocal cooperative, or ILC, is an educational service organization than handles duties for a group of school districts or counties. In fact, in many ways Oklahoma schools are flush with more cash than at any time in recent memory. Thats not my job. * Include the Oklahoma Watch logo (found here). Pemberton said its up to the legislature to catch Oklahoma up. For support staff and paraprofessionals, its a little more complicated: would give districts $1,200 per support staff member. (The Center Square) - Two bills regarding teacher raises await Oklahoma lawmakers when they begin their legislative session next month, and a third proposal for merit-based pay is on the table. Ryan Walters' $150 million teacher incentive pay plan advances to Have a story idea for Nuria? $4.9 million for the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority for physician recruitment and equipment needs. Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, filed a bill for the upcoming legislative session to give Oklahoma public school teachers and support staff a raise starting in the 2023-2024 school year. In that section of law, certified personnel is defined to mean a certified person employed on a full-time basis to serve as a teacher, principal, supervisor, administrator, counselor, librarian, or certified or registered nurse, but shall not mean a superintendent of a school district. The salary increase, like last years, will not include district superintendents. The intention of the law makes clear that certified personnel, on average, should receive a $1,220 raise, to be annualized and continued in future years. In the decade preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, most states saw moderate to more significant drops in students seeking teaching degrees. A districts salary averages are affected by both its salary policies and the experience level of its teachers. But this week members of the Oklahoma Senate effectively Reporter Nuria Martinez-Keel covers K-12 and higher education throughout the state of Oklahoma. Matt Pinnells efforts to create a cohesive brand for the state. 9. Click or tap on a column hearing to re-order the table. The Center for American Progress reported some startling numbers the year before the coronavirus pandemica more than 50% drop in teacher education in nine states. The state Board of Education on Thursday approved an overall budget request of $3.51 billion for the state Education Department, lower than Hofmeister's ask of $3.57 billion. Oklahoma The teacher pay raise would cost the state about $110 million, but Pemberton said given the states $2.8 billion in revenue savings collections, its time to strike while the iron is hot., You need to put your priorities out front, Pemberton said. The poor educational quality of Oklahomas K-12 education has ripple effects that extend into other areas. He has two decades of experience in journalism and communications. The budget proposal includes $11 million to annualize the teacher pay raises appropriated this year. $10 million for the Digital Transformation Fund. Some House lawmakers were angry when Walters presented Hofmeister's budget request, not his own, in a hearing at the Capitol on Tuesday. Instead, he suggested the state spend $150 million to offer incentive pay raises for teachers who are highly rated based on their students' performance, classroom practices and time spent in professional development, such as achieving National Board Certification. This probably isnt the year for an additional pay raise on top of what happened last year, Mazzei said. At 88, Inhofe says he intends to still be involved in politics but admits to still suffering the long-term effects of COVID-19. With teacher shortages affecting schools nationwide, educators share how pay, parents, politics and the pandemic have led some to leave the profession. As a result, the funding for increases will be distributed through the formula. One unfortunate result has been that teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Stitt budget does not include teacher, state employee pay Teachers in the public schools of Oklahoma shall receive in salary and/or fringe benefits not less than the amount specified in the following schedule. School districts seesawed between in-person, remote, and hybrid learning, forcing educators to adapt quickly to an environment often not conducive to learning, nor allowing them to provide the best educational model for students of all needs. An Oklahoma lawmaker is pushing for a teacher pay raise to combat the states teacher shortage. 26-103, are to receive a salary increase in the 2019-2020 school year. COVID appears to have increased the stress of an already stressful job. I have worked for the Tulsa World since 1990. "We had 3,338 emergency certifications last year," Please follow these terms for republication: * Reporters bylines and photographers credit lines should be accompanied by Oklahoma Watch.. Particularly hard-hit were Midwestern and Rust Belt states, as well as seeming outliers such as Alaska and Florida, whose Department of Education outlined critical shortages in no fewer than eight subject areas going into the 2019-2020 school year. Oklahoma It's why he le, "What you're doing is, you're bringing chaos to order," Stewart tells the lawmaker from Broken Arrow during a nine-minute segment about Dahm's, All gender-reassignment therapies would be banned, including hormones, puberty-blockers and surgery for minors, and private insurers would be , Gov. From his first year in office when he worked with the Legislature to deliver a $1,200payraise, to this years proposal topaythose in the classroom six figure salaries, GovernorStitthas been a tireless advocate for getting Oklahomateachers to be the highest paid in the region and looks forward to continuing that effort with the next state superintendent, Kate Vesper wrote in a statement to The Oklahoman. This language is clear in mandating a raise in salary as a part of the base salary and not a one-time bonus or stipend. He told The Center Square he hoped the pay raises would alleviate the state's teacher shortage. Oklahoma lawmakers last approved teacher pay raises in 2018 and 2019, with an average increase of $6,100 and $1,220 respectively. The proposed budget appropriates We are anticipating a large number of positions to be open in the next two or three years, and the colleges of education will tell you we are not seeing a big increase in the number of individuals or young people going into education, Pemberton said. The OSDEs cost estimate of $70,630,204 for twelve months includes the employer contribution to OTRS and FICA. I think the market is telling us that were short of teachers, and the market is telling us the teaching profession overall is not an attractive profession to step into, he said during the committee hearing. He said it would put money toward reading materials, tutoring in the science of reading, dyslexia intervention grants, and hiring high school and college students to assist in schools. $50 million for technology improvements at state agencies. 26-103, to receive the salary increase, regardless of whether employed by a traditional public or public charter school. When the salaries are adjusted for inflation, teachers are earning on average $2,179 less per year than they did a decade ago. How is the pay raise funded? But even then, Oklahomas again fallen behind neighboring states. Kevin Stitts State of the State speech, Stitt asks lawmakers for $100 million to fund education during ongoing gaming dispute, Oklahoma Democrats respond to Stitt's State of the State address, Read Oklahoma Gov. This budget request is Hofmeisters last as state superintendent. Oklahoma weighs competing pay raise plans for teachers For support staff and paraprofessionals, its a little more complicated: Senate Bill 25 would give districts $1,200 per support staff member. StateImpact Oklahoma reports on energy and the environment, education, health, criminaljustice, and the intersection of government and everyday Oklahomans. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. However, the Governor and legislative leaders stated publicly that the amount appropriated $58,858,503 was intended to fund ten months of a $1,220 pay raise, and they committed to fund it for twelve months next year. The Quality Counts 2021 report released earlier this year by Education Week showed that only four states had a lower share of 4th grade students reading at grade level than Oklahoma, based on National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests that are administered in every state. No. Kevin Stitt's 2020 State of the State speech, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 4. Who is required to receive a salary increase? Average salary is based on full-time equivalent teaching positions, which includes full- and part-time teachers. The measure, which the governor backed, would use excess lottery proceeds to pay for half of a teachers raise. Lawmakers discussed the teacher-shortage issue this week while debating Senate Bill 267, by Pemberton, which extends existing incentives to lure retired teachers back to the classroom. It expressly states: SECTION 1. Districts can decide if they want to give staff a one-time pay increase of $1,200 or a one-time increase in an amount based on performance or the need to retain staff. The new state superintendent will present his budget request to House and Senate lawmakers in the following weeks. Is this amount appropriated for the raise for 10 months only? Teacher shortage persists despite massive pay raises Gov. Effects on the number of teachers employed soon reflected the decline in teaching degrees awarded. We have to keep pace with the surrounding states, Hofmeister said. Despite a $1.3 billion budget shortfall and the near certainty of cuts to all Stitt expresses 'strong disagreement' with Oklahoma AG over Catholic charter school, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Oklahoma's new Teacher of the Year celebrates by gifting her tuition waiver to aspiring nurse, Meet the 2023 Ms. Inside/Ms. She has won awards from both the Georgia Press Association and the Georgia Association of Broadcasters. Are principals and other administrators required to receive a pay raise? Please subscribe to keep reading. "The metrics used to determine merit-based pay are controversial and inequitable," OEA President Katherine Bishop said in a statement. This document is intended to assist LEAs in implementing the provisions of House Bill 2765 and Senate Bill 1048, specifically as they relate to salary increases for certified personnel during the 2019-2020 school year. This story originally appeared on eSpark and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. A survey by the RAND Corporation discovered that 90% of school districts had changed operations in one or more schools during the 20212022 school year because of teacher shortages. Hopefully (the next meeting is about) numbers because I am not a policy guy. After the October 1 personnel reporting period, OSDE will publish a report including the difference in pay for each teacher and an average pay raise amount for each district. Legislative Democrats indicated they intend to fight against putting away more money in state savings accounts. Oklahoma must address its teacher shortage and compete with surrounding states that also are mulling pay increases, Pugh said. SB 482 would reset the starting minimum at $39,601. But by the 2019-2020 school year, the number of teachers fell to 3.2 million and by 2020-2021 to just over 3 million. 16. Then cast your vote, Bill Haisten: A massive event NCAA wrestling in downtown Tulsa, Owasso teacher of the year Q&A: Kari Huff, Ram Academy, Drug dealing and federal prison now behind him, Tulsan earning praise for fatherhood support initiative, 2 hospitalized in Missouri crash involving General Lee car from Dukes of Hazzard, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Jim Inhofe looks back on his career: 'I really wanted to make a difference, and I did', State Sen. Nathan Dahm spars with Jon Stewart over Second Amendment, Oklahoma House passes gender-affirming treatment bill, Gov. Panel passes Oklahoma teacher pay raise bill The governor hopes to spark a discussion with legislators about how to spend those funds. Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, a retired educator, introduced a bill in December that would give teachers a $2,000 annual raise for the 2023-2024, 2026-2027 How much of a salary increase should certified personnel receive? Oklahoma teachers earn an average of $54,000 similar to the regional average of $53,600 but below the national average of $64,000, according to the state Department of Education. Thats $390 million more than the state Education Departments current $3.18 billion budget, the vast majority of which goes directly to public schools. New teachers in Texas start at $44,527. Averages in the searchable table below are based on 2017-18 data and minimum salaries are for 2018-19. Please reload the page and try again. Kevin Stitt claimed it could cause some teachers to be paid $100,000 or more, though this would fall on the extreme end of the bills capacity. Six takeaways from Gov. Oklahoma teachers earn an average of $54,000 a year, which ranks fourth among all bordering states. The Edmond senator has suggested the state spend $241 million on his pay-raise plan and another $300 million on further education reforms. And officials expect the shortfall to grow significantly in the next few years. In 2018, state lawmakers approved some of the largest tax increases in Oklahoma history, arguing a larger tax burden was required to increase teacher salaries, which politicians claimed were necessary to reduce teacher shortages. Oklahoma Tucked within that decline were even deeper reductions in degrees conferred in specialty subjects such as science, mathematics, and foreign languages. 1, but also incentivize them as they continue to grow," Walters said. The state minimum salary did not increase, and the language pertaining to the 2018-2019 pay raise that explicitly required the raise in addition to what the individual made in the prior year was not renewed. We can ascertain from the final result of the appropriation that the Legislature intended for districts to have flexibility on how raises are distributed to staff. Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, a retired educator, introduced a bill in December that would give teachers a $2,000 annual raise for the 2023-2024, 2026-2027 and 2029-2030 school years. Support Nurias work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.