September 17, 2010
James Coburn
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND — For better or for worse, Oklahomans will have a choice to spend more money on common education if voters pass State Question 744 on Nov. 2. The pros and cons of supporting SQ 744 were discussed Friday at a meeting of the Oklahoma County Democrats.
An initiative petition supported by the Oklahoma Education Association, SQ 744 would repeal a section of the state Constitution. It would require the state to meet the regional per pupil average for common education spending in public schools.
SQ 744 represents a chance for Oklahoma to make education a true priority, said Joel Robison, assistant executive director and chief lobbyist for the Oklahoma Education Association. Oklahoma ranks 49th in the U.S. and last in the region in per pupil expenditures, spending about $1,500 less than surrounding states, Robison said.
Oklahoma children deserve the same investment that children receive in surrounding states, he said.
“If you believe the answer to that question is yes, then 744 is your question,” Robison said.
The state would have to find a way to fund the program during a time when the state faces a more than $1 billion revenue shortfall, said Ed Allen, president of Oklahoma City American Federation of Teachers... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Fri, September 17, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski