Oklahoma teachers want state lawmakers to help solve funding crisis

The Oklahoma Education Association was rallying thousands of teachers in downtown Tulsa Thursday. <br><br>And the organization is also calling on lawmakers to do something about money for Oklahoma schools.

Thursday, October 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Oklahoma Education Association was rallying thousands of teachers in downtown Tulsa Thursday.

And the organization is also calling on lawmakers to do something about money for Oklahoma schools. News on Six reporter Ashli Sims says teachers trading ideas and grabbing free goodies usually dominate the annual teacher conference. But this year, their conversations are punctuated by dollar signs.

Sharon Teague, Western Heights in Oklahoma City: "I think we're to the point now where they have got to do something we are really hurting in the state of Oklahoma and the schools are suffering." Dianne Holmes with Madison Middle School: "I think we're in a crisis yes but I still think there's some money somewhere to help our children." That's why the President of the Oklahoma Education Association, Carolyn Crowder, is calling for a special legislative session. "The only thing that can happen while the legislators arenâ€™t in session is that we get cut. And we're cut across the board. So we want the legislators in session so they can prioritize and look for state funding solutions."

Carolyn Crowder says school budgets have already been cut by 4.25%, and those cuts may increase another 2% by November. She says that will be drastic for schools, and for taxpayers. "It's predicted that possibly 100 or more school districts could run out of money this year and go to judgment and the property taxes in those districts will increase."

Governor Frank Keating: "Right now to call a special session to come in and access a tiny little bit of money out of rainy day is too little too soon." Governor Keating says for now the educators need to help themselves. For the education community to come and ask for help when they have done very little if anything to try to trim this huge overage of administrative overhead, twice the national average, I think is short-sighted and premature."

Keating says a special session isn't out of the question. For now, he wants teachers and schools to wait and see if the numbers get any better.

State school officials say they don't know if any schools are in danger of running out of money. They did confirm that if it becomes established that a school can't pay its bills, and then taxes would be raised to cover outstanding bills.