State House Passes Bill to Give Teachers Raise

Wednesday, February 9th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A state house bill giving Oklahoma public school teachers a $3,000 pay raise passed its first hurdle Wednesday. In a move that surprised some by its speed, lawmakers approved House Speaker Lloyd Benson's bill by a vote of 92-2. Benson said a thousand teachers left state classrooms last year for higher paying jobs elsewhere and the raise is necessary to keep Oklahoma competitive.

Teachers asked for a $3,500 raise, plus additional money for experience and advanced degrees. However, they're encouraged by today's vote. "It is a start for now, and what we're doing now is looking to the future,â€ said Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association president Beth Gooch. â€œThe coalition put together a large package to let the legislature know -- not piecemeal - what education needs.â€ Gooch said the bill is expected to go to the Senate next Monday.