Teacher Pay Politics

A budget battle at the state capitol has some Tulsa teachers up in arms. State lawmakers are deadlocked over a spending bill and a possible pay raise for teachers hangs in the balance. <br/><br/>News

Thursday, May 18th 2006, 10:34 am

By: News On 6

A budget battle at the state capitol has some Tulsa teachers up in arms. State lawmakers are deadlocked over a spending bill and a possible pay raise for teachers hangs in the balance.

News on 6 education reporter Ashli Sims explains why some teachers are upset with the man who promised in his campaign to be the education governor.

Tulsa 3rd grade teacher Lisa Enriquez seems to be truly in her element, when she's in front of a classroom. She knew she wouldn't get rich as a teacher, but she did expect to make enough money to support her family. And she's frustrated with lawmakers in Oklahoma City who are holding up her pay raise. "We just are pleading with the people in Oklahoma City to hear us that we are not greedy that we need this pay raise."

State lawmakers could be heading for a budget showdown. State Senate Democrats are pushing for a bill that includes a $3,000 pay raise for teachers plus a $172-million tax cut. State House Republicans struck a deal with an unlikely ally, Governor Brad Henry, for a bill with a $2,400 raise and $255-million tax cut.

Governor Henry campaigned on raising teacher salaries and now some teachers are feeling abandoned. "Its like he's backing down now. He was so bold and courageous in the beginning. And we were absolutely excited to have someone in the government who was for us, with his wife a teacher, it seems almost like a slap in the face to us."

Tulsa teachers took to the streets earlier this week to drum up support for the raises, which would help push Oklahoma teachers salaries closer to the regional average.

Average Teacher Salaries
OK: $37,879
TX: $41,743
LA: $39,022
AR: $40,495
KS: $41,453
CO: $43,965
NM: $39, 391
MO: $42, 086
National Avg: $46,735

Oklahoma is ranked 48th in the nation and the average salary here lags several thousand dollars behind other states in the region. "I've known several teachers in my career that have left and gone to surrounding states. I don't want to leave Oklahoma. But I also want to be able to support my son."

Those who support the Henry-Hiett compromise say $2,400 is still a substantial raise. But educators argue that wouldn't bring them up to par with other states in the region, especially since those states are steadily increasing teacher salaries.