Bixby, Jenks Parents Lunch With Legislators After Tax Bill Vote

Legislators are calling their latest vote for teacher raises and education funding “historic.”  Parents from Jenks and Bixby went to the Capitol on Tuesday to thank lawmakers for their votes, but they say they’re still hopeful for more for our teachers.

Parents with the Parent Legislative Action Committee sat down for lunch with lawmakers to talk about the latest bill passed by state representatives to give teachers at least some of the raise they’re demanding.

Melissa Abdo, a parent and Jenks School Board Member, says “this is an amazing, incredible first step.  Compared to where we were eight years ago, it’s just fantastic.”

The bill will give a $5,000 raise to new teachers and up to $7,700 to veteran teachers.

Representative Ross Ford says he hoped the bill would be enough to stop the walkout from happening, but he’s proud of the House’s efforts.

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“It’s time for us to pass a tax measure that will fund public education and teacher pay raises,” said Ford.

According to Ford, representatives didn’t 100% agree on the tax raises, but they came together for what they felt was right.

“We put all of those to the side and said, “What is best for the teachers?  What is best for our students?  What is best for the state of Oklahoma?”

Even though the teacher walkout is still a go, Abdo says she’s hopeful it won’t come to that.