SB 834: "What are they thinking?"

A few of the arguments OEA members are hearing from their legislators include some you just want to shake your head and wonder if they even realize what they've said. Let's take a look at the latest reasons for support:

1) By deregulating schools, districts can do away with unfunded mandates. Hmmm...think about this---the legislature passes mandates for schools and districts because they believe they're important, but won't fund them? Why don't our legislators just fund the mandates? Is this even worthy of debate?

2) Our teachers and support professionals have been told "locals like you" will get a say in how things are done. This bill removes the teacher and education employee voice from the process. Your district gets a say, but the teacher sure doesn't.

Keep checking back here for information or go to the Oklahomans Against SB 834 page for more dialogue.

SB-834:Deregulation

If you like the situation America is in now because of banking and investment deregulation, imagine the price our schools will pay if Senate Bill 834 is passed. The school deregulation bill is headed to the Senate floor after it passed through the Senate Education Committee by a 7-6 party line vote. (R-D).

The Senators will vote on SB 834 in the coming weeks. The bill is this year’s end-all deregulation bill. It threatens your local association’s right to negotiate a contract and would eventually deregulate all Oklahoma Public Schools.

This bill eliminates the teacher voice and adversely impacts kids with no limits on class size, while doing away with certified teachers and teacher quality through up-to-date professional development.

By eliminating the teacher's voice and school employee's voice, we won't be able to bargain contracts and working conditions including salary, and health benefits. The bill also eliminates due process rights.

Supporters are telling us that "teachers will be taken care of" with this legislation, but it will destroy years of working relationships between superintendents, school boards and our local associations.

Tell your local senator that this is not good for our public schools and they need to vote no on deregulation.

Legislative Update/ 2008 ESP Lobby Day

We would like to thank Sen. Judy McIntyre of Tulsa for not hearing Senate Bill 2148 that would give tax credits to Oklahomans who donate to private schools. Tax credits and vouchers reduce the resources available to ensure great public schools for every child.

Senate Bill 2100 threatens your local association's right to negotiate a contract. The bill would allow the State Board of Education to establish a Charter District Pilot Program. Ten school districts in Oklahoma could apply for the pilot program and function similar to charter schools. SB 2100 would allow school districts to:

*Not follow all state regulations, only a select few.

*Eliminate contract negotiations.

*Reduce standards for teacher certification.

*Eliminate due process.

Contact your senator to voice your opposition against this bill.

House Bill 2681 threatens to change the date of notification of reemployment from April 10 to June 10. The two-month delay would allow less time for teachers to find other employment if the contract was not renewed. It would also leave districts strapped for time to hire a new teacher. This bill is detrimental to students, teachers and school districts. Contact your legislators and let them know the harm this bill would cause our Oklahoma schools.

Icy conditions didn’t keep a number of education support professionals from attending the 2008 OEA ESP Lobby Day at the Capitol. The ESP came to lobby for living wages and benefits for the people who provide the school’s operational services. These men and women are some of the lowest paid workers in our state and are part of what many in our country call the “working poor”. Ironically, because they have access to our kids on a day to day basis, they can provide tremendous influence and help to those kids.