Educational HOPE on the 2010 ballot

Teddye Snell

Nov. 6, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- n Oklahoma Education Association President Becky Felts spoke to local retired educators about school funding.

By TEDDYE SNELL

Press Staff Writer

Most adults today can remember toting bundles of school books home to help with homework, so they may wonder why their own kids have no books in their bags when they return home each evening.

Chances are, their teachers only have one set of textbooks to service all the classes they have, thereby preventing any one child from having home access to vital study materials.

This is just one malady the Helping Oklahoma Public Education Amendment would remedy if it passed next November, according to Oklahoma Education Association President Becky Felts.

Felts, also a longtime Tahlequah educator, gave the presentation at the Tahlequah Retired Teachers Association luncheon Thursday at the Armory Municipal Center.

"Like many of you, I had textbooks I could take home," said Felts. "What I'm discovering today is that many schools have only one classroom set of books for all students to use. That's not right."

Felts pointed out in her trips home to Tahlequah, she's noticed school supply lists growing exponentially.

"Families are expected to pay more and more, and students aren't getting the resources they need," said Felts. "Did you know the top 10 in-demand jobs for 2010 didn't even exist in 2004? Our students today are going into professions requiring technological expertise. We need the technological resources, and the time to teach creative and critical thinking skills to prepare them for those jobs."

According to the printed information provided by Felts, during the 2007-'08 school year, Oklahoma allocated $7,615 per pupil, compared to a regional average of $9,078 and a national average of $9,963 for the same period. This expenditure ranks Oklahoma 46th in the nation in providing for its public education students.

"Don't our kids deserve as much as kids in Arkansas, Kansas, and New Mexico?" asked Felts. "That's what the HOPE initiative would do."

The HOPE initiative, now State Question 744, calls for a vote of the people to amend the Oklahoma Constitution and require the Oklahoma Legislature to annually provide an amount of funding for common schools -- pre-kindergarten through 12th grade -- that is at least equal to the average of the amounts spent per pupil by surrounding states, including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.

"This state question will be on the ballot in November 2010," said Felts. "The people of Oklahoma want the Legislature to get the message that education funding matters. I'd sure appreciate it if you would start talking about this to other people now."

Felts said HOPE would not increase taxes.

"Revenue growth in the state budget has increased an average of 5.2 percent a year over the past 25 years," she said. "Now we've had peaks and valleys in those years, and we're in a valley this year. But those revenue growth increases will generate more than $1.5 billion by the time HOPE is fully implemented by the Legislature. This means more than $600 million will be available to provide additional funding for other state agencies."

Felts also pointed out HOPE would decrease, not increase, the odds of school consolidation.

"We have too many K-8 schools in Cherokee County whose service is crucial to the economy of their communities," said Felts. "For instance, Ten-killer and Grand View Schools would receive over half a million dollars each.

With half a million dollars, there would be no reason to consolidate those schools. Tahlequah Public Schools would receive $5 million, and the individual school boards would have control over how that money is spent."

Jeannette Wilson asked Felts if there was some sort of safeguard built into the legislation that would prevent school boards from using the funding for building projects, like athletic facilities.

Felts said building projects and debt retirement would not be eligible for the funds; they're to be used specifically for classroom expenses, books and supplies, new instructional programs, classroom technology, expanded curriculum, salaries, and support services provided by counselors, librarians, nurses, transportation employees and custodians.

"There is also a transparency safeguard built into the law, which will show people exactly how the money is being spent," said Felts. "But this will be as crucial as any other political campaign, and we're going to need your help. It will be on the same ballot with a million other state questions, as well as candidates for governor and state superintendent. I would love to have your help when it's time to mobilize."

Learn more

To find out more about State Question 744, visit www.HOPE4ourkids.org.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0390-39516329