Governor Brad Henry signs teacher pay raise proposal

Wednesday, June 9th 2004, 7:18 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Flanked by dozens of educators from across the state, Gov. Brad Henry signed a bill Wednesday that would raise teacher salaries to a regional average over the next five years.

Senate Bill 1272, by Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, provides four-year incremental salary increases for teachers beginning in 2005. The raises range from $300 each year for a first-year teacher with a bachelor's degree to $1,800 annually for a 25-year teaching veteran with a doctorate.

The raises will be the first for Oklahoma teachers in nearly four years.

``We have some of the best educators in the country, but their salaries haven't been competitive with the rest of the region,'' Henry said. ``Texas and other states annually raid our teaching ranks with offers of better pay and benefits, and that puts a strain on Oklahoma classrooms.''

The raises are expected to cost $48 million in the first year of implementation, growing to $52.4 million annually when fully implemented in fiscal year 2009.

Oklahoma's average teacher salary is $34,877. The average teacher in Oklahoma's seven-state region, which includes Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas, earns $38,527, according to information from the governor's office.

Under a bill signed earlier this year, the state will increase health benefits for educators by paying 100 percent of their health insurance premiums, a cost that is currently divided among educators, school districts and the state.

Henry said improving teacher compensation packages will boost both education and economic development in Oklahoma.

``Business prospects place a high value on good public schools, and it's important to let them know we are committed to building the kind of education system that will help them be successful,'' Henry said. ``Every economic development expert has counseled us that the best jobs go to the states with the best schools, and the only way to improve our schools is to keep good teachers in the classrooms.''