Teachers beginning 110-mile walk to the Oklahoma Capitol on Wednesday

TULSA, Okla. — A group of teachers, support professionals, parents and education advocates will start walking 110 miles from Tulsa to the Oklahoma Capitol to call attention to the plight of education in Oklahoma.

More than 125 people have signed up to participate in the march from Tulsa to Oklahoma City in support of students. Participants of the march include Tulsa Superintendent Dr. Deb Gist, OEA Vice President Katherine Bishop and National Education Association Secretary Treasurer Princess Moss.  More than 200 people have signed up to support the march in some way, by donating water, food, and other supplies. Marchers will be staying at high schools overnight during the march.

The kickoff will be at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at Webster High School, 1919 W 40th Street in Tulsa.

The march is designed to shine a light on the student funding crisis in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Education Association and educators have asked lawmakers to restore funding for Oklahoma’s public school children. Specifically, educators want lawmakers to replace funding lost after the repeal of the hotel/motel tax, pass “ball and dice” legislation and raise additional revenue for schools by ending the capital gains giveaways.

The march schedule is as follows:

• Day 1: Wednesday, April 4 from Webster High School in Tulsa to Kellyville High School. — 17.9 miles (5 hours, 57 minutes walking)
• Day 2: Thursday, April 5 from Kellyville High School to Bristow High School — 15.1 miles (4 hours, 59 minutes walking)
• Day 3: Friday, April 6 from Bristow High School to Stroud High School — 17.5 miles (5 hours, 46 minutes walking)
• Day 4: Saturday, April 7 from Stroud High School to Chandler High School — 15.6 miles (5 hours, 7 minutes walking)
• Day 5: Sunday, April 8 from Chandler High School to Wellston High School — 10.2 miles (3 hours, 21 minutes walking)
• Day 6: Monday, April 9 from Wellston High School to Jones High School — 18.4 miles (6 hours, 6 minutes walking)
• Day 7: Tuesday, April 10 from Jones High School to the State Capitol — 15.4 miles (5 hours, 6 minutes walking)

The march is also open to individuals who are unable to walk or are able to walk for a portion of a day.

The Gayly. April 3, 2018. 3:15 p.m. CST.