Despite letter, ed committee chair says schools will be supported
State Rep. Rhonda Baker, a former teacher and current chair of the House common education committee, said she completely supports the state’s public school system and increasing its funding, despite the feelings of the party chairman from her own county who questioned the state’s involvement in education.
“I have always been and will continue to be a supporter of public education,” Baker, R-Yukon, told The Oklahoman.
The Canadian County Republican Party sent a letter to lawmakers last week urging the state to no longer manage the public school system, or to at least significantly consolidate the number of districts.
“If public education shall continue as a state institution, we should move towards reducing its dependence on the tax structure by funding it through such means as sponsorships, advertising, endowments, tuition fees, etc.,” wrote Andrew Lopez, the Canadian County Republican chairman.
The letter holds no policy implications, but it drew rebukes from fellow Republicans, including state Republican Party Chair Pam Pollard, who said, “those comments should never be inferred to come from the State Republican Party.”
Baker said she hopes an increase in education funding will be a priority next year, a position also expressed by top leaders in the state Legislature.
Shawn Hime, the executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, said the Canadian County letter doesn’t worry him.
“Every legislative leader I’ve spoken with, Republican or Democrat, has expressed a desire to see a long-term investment in education next year,” Hime said. “That letter doesn’t make me concerned one bit.”
Lawmakers skip GOP county meeting
Lopez, the Canadian County chairman since 2017, said Republicans in the Legislature are betraying their party principals and looking to increase the size of government.
“In government we have a system that says we believe it’s a good idea to take (money) from you by force to educate other people’s children. That doesn’t appear to be a fair deal to me,” Lopez said.
Lopez, who published the letter in conjunction with other members of the Canadian County Republicans executive team, said he invited every state lawmaker from the county to a Tuesday meeting, but none showed up.
“That’s a signal they are afraid to be associated with us,” Lopez said. “Especially with these new lawmakers coming in, they are afraid that their association with us will jeopardize their ability to be put into leadership positions.”
Education funding was a prominent theme this past election year, especially after teachers staged a two-week walkout in April to demand additional education funding.
Dozens of educators ran for state office, most as Democrats.
Republicans maintained control of the House, Senate and governor’s office, but many admitted the party struggled to match the Democrats’ message on school funding.
Several Republican members who opposed tax increases for teacher pay raises were ousted from office this year, with some far-right incumbents targeted by a conservative dark money group and other Republican members who expressed frustration with their hardline opposition to tax increases.