OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Public school teachers are at the Oklahoma Capitol to rally for more state funding for public schools and higher teacher salaries.
The Oklahoma Education Coalition helped organize Monday's rally and says as many as 25,000 educators, parents and school administrators are expected to attend.
The coalition says there are about 40,000 more students in the state this year than in 2008 — but that public schools are operating with $200 million less and 1,500 fewer educators. The coalition says state funding for public education has faced greater per pupil cuts than any other state.
Gov. Mary Fallin says she supports more funding for public education. Last year she signed a budget bill that included $120 million in new education money. She's proposed another $50 million funding increase.
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Those attending the rally were urged to walk around the outside of the state capitol prior to entering to talk with lawmakers.