Arguments Offered In Education Lawsuit

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An Oklahoma County judge heard arguments Friday about whether or not a lawsuit that claims state funding for education is inadequate should be dismissed. <br/><br/>The Oklahoma Education

Saturday, July 15th 2006, 12:51 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An Oklahoma County judge heard arguments Friday about whether or not a lawsuit that claims state funding for education is inadequate should be dismissed.

The Oklahoma Education Association _ the state's largest teachers' union _ and the Jenks, Western Heights and Foyil school districts filed the $1 billion suit Jan. 11. It lists as defendants the state Legislature and the leaders of its two houses, House Speaker Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville, and Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater.

The defendants have asked that the lawsuit be dismissed. District Judge Daniel Owens said he'll render his decision on July 28.

State Assistant Attorney General Neal Leader argued Friday that the issue is political and not within the court's jurisdiction. He said that the OEA could either lobby the Legislature for more money or file an initiative petition in an attempt to amend the state constitution.

He said that more than a third of the state's budget already goes toward common education.

``All they're saying is 'We need more money,' which brings that ultimate political question: Will we give it to them?'' Leader said.

OEA attorneys have said state school districts are underfunded by $1 billion and that infrastructure costs are underfunded by about $3 billion. Richard Wilkinson, the OEA's attorney, said the state sets the standards and must fund them.

``We're not asking the court to get involved in education policies,'' Wilkinson said.

According to the lawsuit, Oklahoma was 48th among the 50 states in per-pupil spending in 2005, up one spot from the previous year. The state spent $6,269 per student in 2005, the suit said.

Oklahoma has about 540 school districts.