Massive education rally at Oklahoma Capitol

Oklahoma City (AP) — Teachers, students, administrators, parents and concerned citizens flocked by the busload to the Oklahoma Capitol on Monday to call on lawmakers to increase public school funding and educator salaries.

Thousands showed up to the rally at the Capitol building, including some who visited lawmakers' offices to deliver letters from their districts and to make personal appeals for more financial support for public education.

According to the Oklahoma Education Coalition, which helped organize the rally, public schools are operating on $200 million less in funding and with 1,500 fewer teachers than in 2008, despite an increase of about 40,000 students. It says Oklahoma's state funding for public education has faced greater per pupil cuts than any other state.

"It's minimizing our teachers," Annette Cain, a second grade teacher at Deer Creek, said as she stood in a Capitol hallway jammed with teachers waiting to visit state senators.

Cain said support for public education has diminished although lawmakers have ratcheted up the requirements for student academic achievement. About 678,000 students are enrolled in Oklahoma's public schools this year.

"The demands are increasing," said Cain, who took a personal day off to attend the rally. "We're OK with increasing standards, but you've got to have the funding to do it."

Tiffani Patrick, a writing coach at Deer Creek, said her workload has increased because her district does not have the financial resources to hire additional teachers.

"I'm split between two schools instead of one school," Patrick said.

Cain said teachers are urging lawmakers to restore public education funding to at least levels it reached prior to the Great Recession, when revenue shortfalls forced spending cuts to education and other public services.

Dr. Keith Ballard, Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent, concluded the rally with a rousing speech. He said “You know what, I can’t help but wonder why there are those who are so worried about the fact that Oklahoma citizens who love public education, who are invested in public schools, who care about public schools, and yes, who work in public schools finally reached the point where they had to make a statement today.” Dr. Ballard has made it clear in several public statements that he has no confidence in State Schools Superintendent Janet Barresi, and considers her “inept and incompetent.”

by Tim Talley, Associated Press and Gayly Associate Editor Rob Howard

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – March 31, 2014 @ 3pm