How long will walkout last?
Some districts are taking a wait-and-see approach
Dissatisfaction over classroom funding — not pay raises — is fueling speculation that teachers will walk off the job for multiple days beginning Monday, union and school district officials told The Oklahoman on Friday.
“I think there’s a real possibility of this being longer than a one-day shutdown,” said Rick Cobb, superintendent of Mid-Del Schools.
Mid-Del is among the districts that will close schools Monday so teachers can participate in a statewide walkout and rally at the Capitol. Other districts that will close schools Monday include Edmond, Norman and Oklahoma City.
“No one should assume that Oklahoma City will be having classes on Tuesday,” said Ed Allen, president of Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers, the union that bargains with Oklahoma City Public Schools on behalf of 2,600 teachers.
Cobb reported Friday that 93 percent of about 1,000 teachers and other workers he polled said they wanted to walk out on Monday and 83 percent “thought we should stay out of school beyond Monday.”
“This is not just about a pay raise. We need our
students taken care of,” said one respondent. “I am worried about them going hungry but I am also worried about their futures. We cannot continue to let the legislature shortchange our kids.”
On Thursday, Gov. Mary Fallin signed major tax hike and teacher pay raise bills that will boost salaries by an average of $6,100 per year.
Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest said teacher pay is not the only issue on the table. The state’s largest teachers union is organizing the walkout and rally.
“It’s always been about our student’s needs,” she said Friday. “It’s about making sure our students have the instructional materials they need to be successful in school and in the future.”
Priest said lawmakers have not provided enough funding in the bills to pay for needed textbooks, programs and support staff.
“Our teachers are telling us that they want to be out until the Legislature does right by their students,” she said. “We’re going to be there beginning April 2, and we’re going to stay there until our members tell us otherwise.”
Cobb said he believes a work stoppage will “help us advocate for better resources for our students.”
“Mid-Del stands by our teachers, administrators and support staff,” he said.
Edmond Public Schools Superintendent Bret Towne, meanwhile, told parents and guardians Friday that 66 percent of teachers polled the night before said they plan to walk out Monday and beyond. “While some teachers are pleased with the legislation, others believe that lawmakers need to invest more in classrooms and, therefore, plan to walk out on Monday, April 2, Towne said.
On Thursday, Towne praised teachers for their efforts in getting a pay raise bill passed but discouraged them from participating in the walkout. He said they risked alienating lawmakers and eroding community support if they walked off the job.
“Not only does this action provide muchneeded funding for our schools, it also allows us to avoid a school closure, which would be detrimental to our students,” Towne said. “Are these increases where they should be, given the lack of investment and cuts for more than 10 years? No; but this is a great start.”
Norman Public Schools and Oklahoma City Public Schools are taking a wait-and-see approach, officials said Friday.
“We’ve only committed to closing on Monday so far,” said Beth Harrison, communications chief for the Oklahoma City district.
Norman Superintendent Nick Migliorino told parents he will survey teachers again on Monday.
“If any additional cancellations are necessary we will let you know as soon as possible,” he said in an email.