Teachers pleased with turnout at Capitol

Thursday, February 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The stream of smiling teachers boarding buses after a massive teachers rally at the state Capitol told the story of a fight begun but not yet won by the group. The Capitol police estimated about 17,000 teachers, parents and students turned out for the rally Wednesday.

The group traveled from every corner of the state to attend. "When they look out their window and see this large group, we thought it might impact a lot of the people up here making decisions," said Amanda Collie, a special education teacher from Tulsa.

Apparently it did, with the House passing a $3,000 pay raise 98-1 as the teachers rallied. Several speakers took the stand in front of the Capitol with the crowd chanting "Put Education First" in unison after importan tpoints were made. Some signs took shots at recent gaffes made by Gov. Frank Keating, who has called teachers "slugs" and has made a joking remark about how "homicide" would be the most effective way to deal with the teacher's union. "Hartshorne teachers -- no slugs here," read one sign. Other signs referred to higher teacher salary levels in surrounding states that have caused more than 1,000 teachers to take jobs out of state since July. "I Care -- I Stayed," read another sign.

Preschooler Shelby Baughn of Broken Arrow stood high on the base of a column with her family holding a homemade sign that said, "Oklahoma's Report Card: Prison Funding A+, Education Funding F." Teachers and parents formed lines out of many state senators and representatives' offices. There was a stack of several dozen letters sitting in the office of Rep. Bill Graves, the lone objector to the pay raise bill from the House.

A calm Keating faced the teachers crowding around him about 10 deep in a question-and-answer session in a conference room next to his office. Teachers patiently held their hands up like they were in class as they waited their turn to ask the governor questions. And some munched on apples and cookies provided by the governor's office.

Teachers said they were energized by the rally. "It's not just for the money, it's for the spirit," said Anadarko second-grade teacher Carolyn McDonald. "I believe ove rthe last several years, we've seen a lot of our authority and respect taken away." Claremore teacher Dolly Petermann said she and her colleagues would have come twice as far to attend the rally. "We're really excited to see the teachers unite," said Petermann. "United, we can move forward."