State Superintendent Responds To Governor Stitt's Education Proposals

Governor Kevin Stitt delivered his fourth state of the state address, marking the first day of the legislative session. One major focus was education.

"Throughout my time as governor, I've committed to putting our students first. Across the country parents are waking up to the learning loss caused by closed classrooms," said Gov. Kevin Stitt.

One of his four checkpoints is driving hope for all Oklahomans, which he said impacts everything that matters to people, including education opportunities.

Governor Stitt focused on the importance of investing in schools and putting power in the hands of parents.

"We know God gave kids to parents. Not to the government," said Gov. Stitt.

Stitt claims he's provided record funding for all public schools.

State Superintendent and gubernatorial candidate Joy Hofmeister believes the Governor is missing the mark and dismantling public education.

"Instead of putting our foot on the gas to fund those supports that our kids need, the Governor is proposing a voucher scheme that is only going to take much needed resources away," said Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "It would take those needed resources and stipend them away into private or for-profit entities where there isn't the level of accountability and transparency that taxpayers need."

Stitt said in 2021 that he worked with 22 lawmakers to request the first-ever comprehensive audit of the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

"Tax dollars belong in the classrooms, not in the pockets of bureaucrats," said Gov. Stitt.

"This is a little perplexing, because since I've been in office for 7 years, we've had over 20 audits," said Hofmeister.

Stitt said education isn't one size fits all. He also mentioned Pro Tem Treat filed a bill called the Oklahoma Empowerment Act, which Stitt said ensures the money follows the student.

Stitt told legislatures that just 15 percent of Oklahoma graduates are ready for college in English, reading, math and science. He thinks Oklahoma needs to do better than 47th in the nation.

"I pledge to support any legislation that gives parents more school choice, because in Oklahoma we need to fund students, not systems," said Stitt.

"As a mom of 4 kids who all attended Oklahoma public schools and who are still right here in Oklahoma, I was a very active parent and understand the need for parents to be able to make decisions that best fit their kids. We all want that, but what we also must ensure is that our kids have a well-rounded and high-quality education," said Hofmeister. "What they need is a caring, equipped and committed teacher who has the supports needed. They need to have school counselors. They need to have a reading specialist. They're going to need help all along the way, and that is not something that happens in a quick fix. It takes a sustained investment."

Stitt said he wants to increase apprenticeship opportunities and said it's important to match the skills of students with the jobs in their communities.

"Let's tear down the silos between K-12, Career Techs and Higher Ed to train the next generation. Every student needs to be college ready or career ready," said Stitt.

"We have to have real progress. We have to have our foot on the gas with strategic investments, to ensure that our kids have a teacher, that they also have more school counselors to help them get on track for graduation. Also, to help provide the kind of meaningful support when it comes to even behavioral issues, disconnection that could've occurred because of the governor's mismanagement of the pandemic. Parents are angry. They're angry that their children have had the kind of disruption that could've been avoided," said Hofmeister.

Stitt also announced his goal to avoid losing talented teachers.

"I'm proposing matching funds so that our best teachers can make six-figure salaries and stay in the classroom," said Stitt.

"After looking at the governor's budget, which has just been revealed, that's all talk. He has not provided any details and his budget reflects no additional funds," said Hofmeister.

News On 6 reached out to several surrounding school districts, which declined to comment.