OKLAHOMA CITY – A controversial bill attempting to drive “ghost students” out of the state's school funding formula was tabled by the Senate on Wednesday despite cross-party opposition. Governor Kevin Stitt signed it just hours later.
State Senator Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, said the initial district allocation under current law is based on the higher of the average daily student population over the past two years. The mid-year adjustment is based on the last two years or the first nine weeks of the school year, whichever is higher.
His bill cuts that to a year. The mid-year adjustment now takes into account the number of previous years or the first nine weeks, whichever is higher, he said.
"Let's not over-complicate the problem," said Taylor. "This is very fundamental reform, very common sense for the Oklahoma taxpayer."
But Senator Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, said the move lacks transparency or accountability.
"There were no public contributions," she said. "We are in the middle of a pandemic. Our principals, our class teachers and our students are overwhelmed to survive this year. However, the author believes this will not have a destabilizing effect, with no evidence, no data to support these claims." When things get mixed up at the last minute, we have to wonder whether or not it is in the best interests of the public. "
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation first coined the nickname "Ghost Student" while investigating possible wrongdoing at Epic Charter Schools. The OSBI used the term to quantify students enrolled but not taught.
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs estimates there are approximately 55,000 ghost students, and about 90% of the districts have at least one enrolled. The group said about $ 200 million in taxpayers' money went to districts for students who were no longer there.
However, proponents of the school say that Oklahoma has no "ghost students". They say the existing funding formula has proven fair for both declining schooling districts and growing schools. Eliminating the following previous year would make it difficult for schools to consider ongoing contracts and compulsory costs due to a year-round variance in enrollment of students.
State Senator Blake Stephens, R-Tahlequah, said he was in an "awkward position" because he was going to disappoint people. Even so, he said he came to the Capitol to represent his constituents, the students in his district, and their families.
"What we're doing today is very important to me," he said before voting against the measure. “I believe the state of Oklahoma is still in crisis for school teachers. I believe that with all my heart. I don't see how that will help. "
He said that without an extra year to help plan a budget, superintendents could mistakenly choose to let teachers go. However, due to the state's ongoing teacher shortage, districts do not have the luxury of picking up a phone and easily finding a certified teacher if necessary.
Rep. Mary Boren, D-Norman, who also opposed the measure, said the vote was a disappointing and demoralizing day for her. A large majority of parents in their district asked them to vote against.
"What we are seeing today is a financial way to consolidate rural schools," said Boren.
Boren said there are two groups in politics that are involved in a public order tug-of-war. At one end of the rope are the public school parents of more than 600,000 students, the state school principal, the state school board, parent-teacher associations and interest groups representing teachers and staff. At the other end are the "wealthy and well-connected people" who have enough money to set their priorities and agendas. She noted that the state chamber of commerce in particular is one of the groups supporting the bill.
"This tells us who has the most power in Oklahoma," Boren said. “One day power will shift to public school lawyers to advance their priorities, but today is not that day. And the State Chamber and those with the same perspective of special interest will succeed as they have for decades. "
Chad Warmington, president of the Oklahoma State Chamber, said after the vote that his organization was pleased that they were mentioned during the debate on the bill.
"Open transfer and student funding, not systems, are sensible reforms that we hope are just the beginning to make Oklahoma a top educational state," he said.
Senator Lonnie Paxton, R-Chickasha, who backed the move, said lawmakers couldn't go on with things the way they always have – raise taxes and put more money into public schools. Reforms are also needed along the way.
He said this was good legislation.
"I think it's time for us to make some changes in the state," said Paxton. "This is a bit of a problem compared to the tax hikes we have made."
State Senator Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, who voted for the measure, said he had received text messages from coaches and teachers who were told by superintendents that the bill would harm schools.
"The truth is, it requires management decisions to be made in real time, with a year back and adjustments so that they can make management decisions and actually reflect the reality that Oklahoma is today," Jett said. “Right now they are pressuring us not to make any changes. They have some tough decisions to make, but we pay them their salaries for that. I am confident they will rise to the challenge as we make progress on this. "
Janelle Stecklein reports on the Oklahoma Statehouse for CNHI's newspapers and websites. You can reach her at [email protected].