Raises seen, but no details

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A national study giving Oklahoma high grades for teacher quality points to the need for teacher raises<br>this year, leaders agreed Thursday, while giving no details on how to accomplish

Thursday, January 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A national study giving Oklahoma high grades for teacher quality points to the need for teacher raises
this year, leaders agreed Thursday, while giving no details on how to accomplish the raises.

Gov. Frank Keating said the report shored up his argument that money could be found for teacher raises by cutting costs.

He said budget numbers are still being firmed up, but he predicted "more than $100 million would be set aside for teacher raises."

He gave no specifics of possible cuts, but said: "We are spending money that could go to teacher raises to excessive non-teaching costs."

The governor said out of every Oklahoma school dollar, less than 60 cents reaches the classroom.

A recent study by the Office of State Finance showed, for instance, that Oklahoma was spending more money on school lunches per capita than other states.

Sandy Garrett, state school superintendent, contends those are federal funds that are earmarked and unavailable for appropriation
to other areas. She says Oklahoma's school lunch figures are high because the state has more low-income children.

In a news release Thursday, Keating said rigorous caps need to be placed on administrative costs. He suggested savings could be made by combining some of the administrative functions of small school districts, such as transportation and purchasing. He said there was no need for consolidation.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor, D-Claremore, had criticized the finance report, saying cost-cutting could not
generate enough money for a major pay raise program.

On Thursday, he recalled that Keating recently said he would hold teacher pay raise "hostage" in an effort to get his school
program adopted.

He said Keating's lastest comments "looks like all talk with no money included."

Taylor said Republicans backed off a similar program a year ago when they realized administrative costs included such things as
school lunches, janitors, school bus drivers, security officers and counselors.

While the Education Week report was good news, Taylor said, "We won't be able to boast about having the best teachers for long if we continue to pay them some of the lowest wages in the country."

He said the latest survey showed teachers rank 48th in the nation in pay, and "something significant" needed to be done.

He said Keating's hostage comment indicates "he may be a tough sell" on teacher raises.