State lawmakers question fees for blind and deaf schools

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Two state lawmakers are questioning costs paid to the Department of Rehabilitation Services by the Oklahoma Schools for the Blind and Deaf.<br/><br/>Representatives Wes Hilliard and

Thursday, November 17th 2005, 6:31 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Two state lawmakers are questioning costs paid to the Department of Rehabilitation Services by the Oklahoma Schools for the Blind and Deaf.

Representatives Wes Hilliard and Barbara Staggs are conducting a legislative study to examine the more than $200,000 increase in indirect costs assessed by the agency.

Funding for both of the schools is funneled through the agency. Hilliard says the School for the Deaf alone has $535,000 going to DRS for administrative or indirect costs. But Hilliard says he's not seeing $535,000 worth of services being performed.

Staggs says research has shown that each Oklahoma school is paying over 20 times more in administrative costs than the highest fee paid in surrounding states.