Not just teachers: Lawmakers want to consider education policy, too

Educators are going into the legislative session that begins Monday looking for more money.

Lawmakers, though, may be more inclined to first look closer at the money already allocated to schools.

There may well be more money for common education by adjournment in May. It may not be the $400 million for pay raises and school operations or the 8 percent cost of living increase for retirees the Oklahoma Education Association says it wants, but lawmakers seem to think it’ll be something.

Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, chairman of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate’s senior member, said he hopes to get common ed half of whatever new money is available for the coming budget year. But the final revenue estimate isn’t due until Feb. 20, and appropriations bills usually aren’t even introduced until the late stages of the session.

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