Oklahoma Senate committee approves bills on teacher pay and transfers

Members of the Senate Education Committee made significant changes to common education policy during a recent meeting at the State Capitol. The two-hour meeting resulted in the endorsement of several bills aimed at improving the education system in Oklahoma.

One of the key bills discussed was House Bill 3386, which focused on streamlining the intra-district transfer process for students with individual education plans (IEPs). This measure, proposed by House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat, aimed to make it easier for parents to transfer their children within the district where they reside. While some exceptions were included for students with discipline or attendance issues, the majority of intra-district transfers would be accepted under this bill.

Another important bill, House Bill 2009, addressed the issue of large class sizes. Teachers with classes exceeding 20 students would be eligible for a stipend of $1250 per student, up to an additional $3750. Additionally, the bill would eliminate the per-student penalty currently imposed on schools that exceed class size limits set by the education reform act of 1990.

While these bills received support from the majority of the committee members, there were concerns raised about potential implications. Some lawmakers questioned whether incentivizing schools to exceed class size limits could have negative consequences for both teachers and students. Despite these concerns, both bills ultimately passed with majority support.

Overall, the changes proposed in these bills aim to address various challenges within the education system and provide support for teachers and students alike. The committee’s decision to endorse these bills reflects a commitment to improving education in Oklahoma.