State Superintendent Lays Out Education Cuts in Final State of Education Address

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- State Superintendent Sandy Garrett gave her final State of Education Address Thursday. Garrett's 20th annual speech came during one of the most trying years for public schools in Oklahoma.

Garrett gave her address before 2,500 Oklahoma school leaders who were attending the state Department of Education's annual "Leadership" conference.

Garrett said budget shortfalls have caused lawmakers to dramatically cut education funding. Schools must now get the job done on $196 million less than last year with more students statewide. That means larger classes, fewer textbooks and less technology, as well as severe cuts to several programs.

"One of the bonus programs for teachers, the AAA program was cut. Others were cut devastatingly, but not entirely. The Alternative Ed program, was cut. Sooner start for early education was cut," Garrett said during her address.

However, help could come from the national level. In January, Oklahoma applied for a massive federal grant.