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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Oklahoma State Department of Education insists there is nothing wrong with the Teacher Empowerment Fund, but the governor and Senate president pro tempore say otherwise.
HB 4388 was signed into law in 2022 to provide promotion incentives to qualified teachers in Oklahoma.
Funding for the program was called into question last year.
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat said $22.58 million worth of Oklahoma Lottery revenue was added to the fund in September.
Officials said teachers selected for eligible district programs will receive the following increases each year for each designation:
- Advance – Minimum $3,000 from district and $3,000 for state games.
- Lead – Minimum $5,000 from district ($5,000 for state games).and
- Masters – Minimum $10,000 from $10,000 district in state play.
These funds allow school districts to identify and designate up to 10% of their teachers as senior, lead, or master teachers twice a year.
Depending on the level of designation, a teacher’s contract includes additional days.
Minimum salary increase of $3,000 to $10,000 for teachers to receive the same amount from the district.
Empowerment Fund.
An additional one-time award of $1,500 to $5,000, depending on designation, for teachers employed in economically disadvantaged schools (40% or more) or in districts with fewer than 1,000 students. is given. Districts are not limited to a cap on salary increases. However, the state match amount will not exceed $40,000 per designation.
Funding will be provided to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted, according to OSDE.
“There’s nothing wrong with the Teacher Empowerment Fund,” said Dan Isett, communications director for the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
But when News 4 asked Gov. Kevin Stitt about the program on Friday, he said he recognizes there are funding issues.
“I haven’t talked to Ryan Walters about it, but I’m aware of that. I’ve talked to some members of Congress. I hope they can find a solution. There is little information about how the law was written and how the Department of Education has interpreted the rules. But it is our objective to increase the pay of all teachers,” Governor Stitt said. . “The objective is to get this to the finish line. Let’s stop playing politics. Let’s pay these teachers. We need the best teachers to teach in the classroom.”
The Governor explained that the Legislature is working on amending the current law regarding the Teacher Empowerment Fund.
“We are aware of the issues surrounding specific districts and raises. The Senate and Representatives have been in contact with SDE to ensure that all teachers received fully funded raises from Congress last year. There is a legal fix that we are working together to resolve this issue so that we can make it happen, and we are absolutely committed to delivering on our commitments.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-OKC)
The House and Senate are currently working on legislation that would clarify the program and list school districts that say they have not received funds from the program to ensure they receive the funds.
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