A meaningful classroom change
By Bob Sullivan
I love teachers. My wife and one of my daughters have been teachers. I love teachers not just for the impact they've had on my life, but because I understand the impact teachers have on the lives of Oklahoma's children and Oklahoma's future.
Oklahoma's classrooms, teachers and students must be the first priorities of our K-12 education funding. Far too often, they're not.
While Oklahoma taxpayers continue to fund K-12 public education at higher levels each year, Oklahoma ranks an embarrassing 46th nationally in the percentage of education dollars that reach our classrooms -- only 57.9 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Think of it: 45 other states do a better job of getting their education dollars to their classrooms, teachers and students.
For our teachers and taxpayers, students and parents, Oklahoma is about to make meaningful change through the First Class Education for Oklahoma citizens initiative. The initiative will set as a goal for Oklahoma that 65 cents of every education taxpayer dollar gets to our classrooms. That 7-cent increase may seem small, but small change can create a big change. Raising Oklahoma from 58 cents to 65 cents equals $270 million more a year for our classrooms, teachers and students. That's about $423 per student or $8,460 for each class of 20 students -- without a tax increase. That $270 million is enough to buy a new computer for every student in Oklahoma or hire 6,000 more Oklahoma teachers at a starting salary of $40,000. Ask any Oklahoma teacher if $8,000 more for their classroom would make a difference.
Our Oklahoma initiative defines classroom instruction as, "expenditures directly related to the classroom: instructional staff and materials, activities involving interaction between students and teachers or other classroom personnel, special education instruction, tutors, books, classroom computers, general instruction supplies, instructional aides, libraries and librarians, class activities such as field trips, athletics, arts, music and multidisciplinary learning, and extra-curricular activities including drama, sports and band." It leaves 35 percent for other items that are important, but which need to be delivered more efficiently.
Our Oklahoma initiative specifically allows for districts to ask the state superintendent for a waiver if there's a legitimate reason that it can not reach 65 percent in the classroom. The initiative specifically cites rural transportation costs as a potential reason why a waiver should be allowed. The petition also specifically says, "Nothing in the measure would force or require the closing or consolidation of any schools or school districts." Every Oklahoma teacher I've met tells me they pay for basic classroom supplies out of their own pocket. And every teacher knows of wasteful spending. The 65 percent solution is a way to move money from wasteful spending to the teachers and students.
My elementary teacher taught me that Ben Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned." With the First Class Education for Oklahoma initiative, seven pennies saved would equal $270 million earned for our classrooms, teachers and students.
Sullivan is honorary chairman of First Class Education for Oklahoma and has served on the boards of three schools in the Tulsa area. The businessman also is a Republican candidate for governor.
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