AG Says Law Clear On Teacher Pay Increases

Saturday, February 24th 2007, 7:40 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The attorney general, in a legal opinion Friday, said a state law enacted a year ago gives teachers $3,000 across-the-board pay raises on top of regular step increases.

"The answers to your questions are clear by the language of the statute itself," Attorney General Drew Edmondson wrote state Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore. "The statute states that certified personnel or teachers are to receive a $3,000 salary increase, in addition to the step increase."

He said the law also makes it clear that no part of the $3,000 may be used for employer retirement contribution payments or Social Security payments linked to the salary increase.

School districts have complained loudly that the Legislature did not appropriate enough money to cover millions of dollars in extra costs associated with the pay raises.

The governor and legislative leaders have promised a supplemental appropriation to cover those costs.