Broken Arrow, Just One of 200 Districts, Lobbying Lawmakers Wednesday

Tuesday, February 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Thousands of Oklahoma school children will be out of class Wednesday while teachers and parents rally at the state capitol. More than 200 districts around the state changed their school calendars to take part in the "Put Education First" rally organized by the Oklahoma Education Coalition.

The coalition says it chose this day to coincide with the Oklahoma Parent Teacher Association's lobbying day at the capitol. Thousands of teachers, parents and other education advocates will lobby lawmakers for more funding for education.

Broken Arrow is among several area districts taking part by using the day as a snow day. That means students won't lose instructional time since the day will be made up at the end of the year. Broken Arrow Education Association President Greer Nichols said the day is not a vacation for teachers. "We're going down to work for education in Oklahoma and the future of our students, Greer noted. â€œWe're working just as hard Wednesday as we would at our own school. But our emphasis is to educate legislators down in Oklahoma City."

Final action is expected Wednesday on the $3,000 teacher pay raise the state house and senate just passed. But educators say salaries are only part of their agenda. They'll also lobby for money for other needs, and changes in last year's controversial school funding law, House