Teachers rally at Capitol
Oklahoma educators filled the Capitol on Monday to support a $5,000 salary increase, with hope that lawmakers would vote for the tax hikes to pay for it.
The raise would be paid for with tax revenue in Step Up Oklahoma’s plan through House Bill 1033.
Teachers have helped round out the political force behind the tax plan, and the inclusion of a salary increase gave lawmakers more of an incentive to support it. Former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer spoke at the rally, along with state schools Superintendent
Joy Hofmeister.
Before the House convened in its afternoon session, Durant High School teacher Roger McGehee caught up with his representative, Durant Republican Dustin Roberts. Roberts told McGehee he would support the bill but said the vote would be close.
McGehee said that he had hope. After 41 years as a teacher, he feels tired of asking for a pay raise.
“We shouldn’t have to ask
for one,” said McGehee, who teaches physics and chemistry. “There are certain services in our state that we need that are necessary for the state to function. It’s frustrating to me for us to even be here. We have to take time out of classes to be here.”
The pay raise was dependent on the proposed tax hikes. State Rep. Leslie Osborn said during debate on the tax bill that if House Bill 1033 didn’t pass, teachers wouldn’t be getting a pay raise this year.
Still, education supporters said that the effort wouldn’t be a waste.
“It’s not a waste because we’re fighting for kids. This is a battle just like any other battle,” said McGehee.
Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association, said Monday before the vote that children couldn’t wait for a perfect bill.
“Every time we talk about education and the needs of our students and the need to keep teachers here in the state, then we’re moving the needle forward,” Priest said. “We are going to lose so many more teachers if this doesn’t pass. It hurts my heart for the kids of Oklahoma.”