Teachers say rally about more than pay raises

Monday, January 31st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma teachers say their upcoming education rally at the state Capitol February 16th is about more than pay raises. They say they were elated to hear the Legislature is considering a $3,000 pay raise. But they say they'll believe it when they see it.

Ponca City teacher Irene Baird says the rally will call attention to how serious the need is. Educators say more money needs to be spent on technology, classroom materials, before- and after-school programs, and hiring more school counselors.

Teachers say schools are told to do many things but aren't given the money to pay for them. Carolyn Crowder is president of the Oklahoma Education Association. Crowder says lobbying doesn't work and the educators have to do something unusual to change the order of business.