OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Measures that would boost teacher salaries and pump more money into Oklahoma classrooms have been approved by a state House subcommittee.
Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education approved the measures Tuesday while acknowledging they do not know how to pay for them. The Board of Equalization said Tuesday the state is facing a projected budget shortfall of $611 million next year due to low energy prices and the layoffs of oilfield workers.
The subcommittee voted 9-0 for a measure that would increase classroom funding by $600 million over 10 years. Board members also voted 9-0 for a bill supported by Superintendent of Schools Joy Hofmeister that would increase teacher pay by more than $5,000 over five years and add five more days to the public school calendar.