Gubernatorial candidates prefer teachers avoid walkout

Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates say they sympathize with state teachers but most stopped short of endorsing a potential

walkout over pay. Republican Mick Cornett said it would not be in the best interest of students or the state.

Cornett, currently mayor of Oklahoma City, said, “This isn’t in the state’s best interest, the strike. And certainly not in the kids’ best interest. And I guess part of what my takeaway is: I’d like to think that I could have figured out a better way to get this handled already.

“I understand they’re desperate at this point. But that is not something I would support. As much as I support teachers, I don’t support a strike.”

Cornett was speaking at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha.

Teachers in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and other school districts have been discussing whether to walk out sometime in the next few weeks. The Oklahoma Education Association announced Tuesday that, absent a pay raise, teachers will walk out on April 23.

Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones, a Republican running for governor, said Tuesday that a walkout was avoidable.

“The law says we should have an education budget in place by April 1,” Jones said.

Legislators should find the money for a pay raise and make a strike unnecessary, he said.

“It’s a critical situation,” Jones said. “If the Legislature doesn’t get it done, that’s another failure on their part.”

Jones has proposed raising the gross production tax on oil and gas and the cigarette tax to provide money for a raise.

Tulsa businessman Kevin Stitt, a Republican running for governor, said Tuesday, “Nobody wants a walkout, but I understand their frustration. Our state government has failed our kids, our teachers and our schools.

“We have four-day school weeks and the lowest paid teachers in the region. It’s unconscionable that the politicians have gotten us into this mess. I’m hopeful a walkout can be avoided because I want our kids in their school with their teachers, and that’s what teachers want, too.”

The campaign manager for Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, a Republican, declined to respond to a request for comment.

Lamb’s wife teaches 5th grade at Cashion Public School.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Drew Edmondson, former Oklahoma attorney general, said, “The problems with education funding and teacher pay are well documented. But, this goes much deeper than just money. It’s also an issue of respect. The platitudes and promises teachers have received from the current administration and our legislature are insulting.

“By law, teachers in Oklahoma are not allowed to strike. But, if they decide to come to the Capitol to make their case, I will stand with them.”

Republican candidate Gary Richardson, a Tulsa attorney, said, “Oklahoma’s teachers feel forced to take extreme measures and, frankly, I don’t blame them. They are fully justified in their frustration and outrage over the failure of our leadership to give them the raises they deserve.

“We have several options on the table to raise teacher pay without increasing taxes. The legislative session is only in its second month and I believe lawmakers have time to head this off.

“I would like to appeal to teachers, for the sake of the children, to avoid a strike if at all possible. Please be patient. By this time next year, when I am governor, I will make sure teachers get the salaries and the respect they deserve.”

I understand they’re desperate at this point. But that is not something I would support. As much as I support teachers, I don’t support a strike.”

Republican Mick Cornett, mayor of Oklahoma City