Funding Issues Need Addressed

   As the 2013 Legislative season comes upon us there are many important questions to be answered for education. One of the many things that has been said before the session gets underway is that the legislature will look to prove education is important to this GOP lead group. Many educators have wondered quietly and loudly they don't feel important. Since 2010 when the GOP gained sole control of every state office and gained dominate numbers in each chamber of the legislature education has taken many hits.  Some of them are financial and some  are through  mandates and the extra time and energy they require to address. Numerous issues have been raised about funding though. 

  The Oklahoma Legislature has passed a lot of mandates the last two years and that has been coupled with a reduction in money per pupil. The legislature has also dwindled some funds that go towards education with proposing state questions to limit ad valorem growth or take money out of the ad valorem intangible equation.  When I have talked to Representatives and Senators one thing I hear a lot is that our state is not very big, population wise I assume. So I did a quick internet check and saw that by population we rank 28th.List here That even included D.C. and all territories. So it would make sense to me that we would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 28th in spending right? Well we all know that is not true. Not internet search for that one. We know Oklahoma is in the bottom three historically. The per pupil cuts the last couple years did nothing to change that. So its time for the legislature to show us they really do care. Hopefully they will this legislative season. Here is my wish list.

1. Per Pupil increase to pre-recession levels
2. Reduced funding for virtual students (They don't need same money as brick and mortor students)
3. Full fund mandates of RSA, ACE, & TLE
4. Replace funding lost from removal of Integible property from Ad Valorem
5. Increased funds for transportation. (Which hasn't been raised since 1988 I believe)
6. Increased rate for textbooks. (Currently at $57)
7. Increase to building fund rate (Have you seen what it cost to build these days)

   I Know I ask a lot but its time to show Oklahoman's we are serious about public education. Fully fund it first. Provide money for what you will hold schools accountable for during the school year. No need to talk about guns, state boards, or anything else until we fund what needs funded. Our Kids and their future are worth it, lets prove that to them!!