Oklahoma Teacher Pay Raise Bill Moves Out Of Committee

The Senate’s teacher pay raise bill is moving forward after Monday’s House committee hearing. The bill passed with full bipartisan support, but House democrats are still hoping to pass an amendment on the bill to get more money for Oklahoma teachers. 

Senate Bill 482 would create a scaled teacher pay raise to increase the minimum salary schedule and give an increase for every 5 years of experience. It will cost a total of $250 million.

“If you ask any republican or democrat in the House or Senate, they will say teacher pay raise is an important issue this year,” said Representative Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater).

Passing a sizable teacher pay raise is a bipartisan effort, but both chambers and republicans and democrats have not come to an agreement on what the pay raise model will look like.

"My caucus has stood firm that we want a clean teacher pay raise, not coupled with a voucher scheme,” said Rep. Ranson.

Representative Ranson called for an amendment to the Senate’s teacher pay raise bill.

"In order to retain the teachers that we have and to recruit teachers from out of state, we need to be competitive in the region,” said Rep. Ranson.

The amendment would increase teacher pay by:

1. $6,000 for teachers in their first through fourth year (up from $3,000 in the original bill); 
2. $8,000 for teachers in their fifth through ninth year (up from $4,000 in the original bill); 
3. $10,000 for teachers in their 10th through 14th year (up from $5,000 in the original bill);
4. $12,000 for teachers with 15 years + of service (up from $6,000 in the original bill)

The amendment would have put Oklahoma at the top in the region for teacher pay based on experience, but it was voted to be tabled until next week’s committee meeting.

"I'd like to table the amendment at this time,” said Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore).

Republican Representative Mark McBride said it wouldn’t have received the support it needed.

"I love the pay raise idea, but I know it's not going to make it through,” said Rep. McBride.

McBride says he would like to see an investment made in teacher pay raises- but wants to be realistic. He said he would rather move forward with something he knows will be able to cross the finish line.

"I'm for teacher pay raises. The Speaker's plan was $2500, and this was a graduated $3000 and up,” said Rep. McBride.

Both did say, while there’s been disagreement on education legislation- it’s important to come to an agreement on teacher pay.

"With all the negotiations going on, between the House and the Senate we want to keep that alive,” said Rep. McBride.

"I think we should just set that aside and focus on what we can agree on and that is the teacher pay raise,” said Rep. Ranson.

The Senate’s paid maternity leave bill was also on today’s agenda but was not heard. Representative McBride says the bill could still be heard in committee next week.