Governor Kevin Stitt signed the package of education funding legislation which will give parents a tax break if they send their children to private school or home school them, provides a graduated teacher pay raise, and increases the overall appropriation for public education.
“Today is a historic day for the state of Oklahoma, and a huge win for students and parents all across the state. I am so proud that we were able to empower parents and deliver education freedom; so that every student has the opportunity to attend a school that best fits their needs, regardless of their background, economic status or zip code. With this plan, Oklahoma is also celebrating record funding in our education system; including giving our teachers a much-needed pay raise, investing in literacy programs, funding our rural schools, and securing Oklahoma classrooms,” said Stitt during a signing ceremony for what is being called the ASPIRE Oklahoma Plan.
Additionally, programs within the plan include a $10 million three-year literacy program to employ a literacy instructional team to support school districts, $125 million for the Redbud Fund which helps districts with less ad valorum support with facility maintenance and acquisition, and $150 million for a three-year pilot program for school safety and security.
This package wasn’t easy to come by during this year’s legislative session creating a standoff between the two legislative chambers and the governor. The impasse was broken late in the session when Stitt asked Justice Steven Taylor to mediate. A compromise was reached, and the legislative logjam was broken with the differing sides claiming a victory for parents and children.
