The familiar hum of school hallways fell silent across much of Oklahoma this week, not for a holiday, but for a deliberate stand. Teachers, the backbone of our communities, have once again shut down classrooms, a stark visual of their deep-seated frustration over inadequate school funding and low salaries. This isn't just about a paycheck; it's about the future of their students and the respect they deserve as professionals.
This latest wave of school closures follows a familiar pattern seen in other states like West Virginia, Kentucky, and Arizona. It began just days after state legislators passed a tax increase, a move teachers argue falls far short of what's needed. It’s a complex dance between educators fighting for resources and lawmakers balancing budgets, and right now, the music has stopped for Oklahoma's students.
What brought us to this point? Well, the numbers tell a significant part of the story. Oklahoma teachers are consistently among the lowest-paid in the nation. When you look at the data, state funding for public schools has seen a nearly 9% drop since 2008, even as student enrollment has climbed by over 8%. Adjusted for inflation, general education funding per student has actually decreased by a staggering 28% over the same period. This isn't just a dip; it's a significant erosion of resources.
The ripple effect is palpable. We're seeing a teacher shortage, with schools resorting to hiring educators on temporary emergency certifications who may lack formal training. It’s a system stretched thin, trying to do more with less.
The movement gained momentum, inspired by similar walkouts elsewhere. One Oklahoma teacher, Alberto Morejon, even started a Facebook group that quickly ballooned to tens of thousands, illustrating the widespread sentiment among educators. Initially, teachers sought over $800 million in new funding, including a $10,000 raise and substantial school funding increases. The legislative response, a $447 million tax increase, included an average pay raise of $6,100, along with funds for textbooks and additional school funding. Governor Mary Fallin signed the bill, which offers a 15% to 18% raise for most teachers. Yet, for many, it’s a case of 'close, but no cigar.'
As Ellen Kraft, a teacher at Truman Primary, put it, 'It’s more than the numbers. It’s more than a raise. We need funding for our kids, and we need to be respected as professionals.' She highlights the core issue: you can't simply patch a 28% funding cut with half of that and expect the system to thrive. There's a deeper need for investment and recognition.
The protests continued, impacting 20 of Oklahoma's largest school districts and affecting roughly 230,000 students. While lawmakers like Sen. Marty Quinn suggest they've done their best, acknowledging other state agencies also have needs, teachers feel the work is far from over. They point out that the approved package only partially addresses their requests for raises and classroom resources.
Let's talk about those salaries. The average Oklahoma teacher earns around $42,400 annually, a stark contrast to the national average of $61,420. This isn't just an abstract statistic; it means many educators struggle to cover basic living expenses. You hear stories of teachers taking on second or even third jobs just to afford food and healthcare. 'If I didn’t have a second job, I’d be on food stamps,' shared Rae Lovelace, a third-grade teacher, painting a vivid picture of the financial strain.
Looking at the broader trend, teacher wages in most states haven't kept pace with inflation over the past couple of decades. In fact, nationwide, classroom teacher salaries have declined by an average of 3% over the last 10 years when adjusted for inflation, with instructional staff salaries seeing a 2.7% decline. State funding for education has also fallen by 5.4% nationally in the same period. It’s a challenging landscape for educators everywhere, but particularly acute in states like Oklahoma.
The courage shown by Oklahoma teachers, inspired by their counterparts in other states, is a powerful reminder that education is an investment, not an expense. Their fight is for better resources, fair compensation, and the fundamental respect that allows them to do their vital work effectively. The doors may be closed for now, but the conversation about the future of education in Oklahoma is wide open.
