Schools Face Cuts without Supplemental Funding

The State Department of Education is waiting on $9 million from the state legislature. And if they don't get the money soon, it will mean budget cuts for every district.

Friday, April 24th 2009, 6:10 pm

By: News 9


By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The State Department of Education is waiting on $9 million from the state legislature. And if they don't get the money soon, it will mean budget cuts for every district.

This is a supplemental funding request the Department of Education asked for in the fall.

"We've avoided prorating schools budgets, awaiting legislative action on this supplemental request, but May 8 would be the latest we'd be able to wait," said Shelly Hickman with the Oklahoma State Dept. of Education.

The money would make up for a recent $40 increase in health insurance premiums the schools pay out for their employees.

"It is a mandate on schools and schools are mandated by law to provide that benefit to their certified staff and support staff, and they've been accustomed to that mandate being appropriated and funded," said Hickman.

Senate Appropriations Chair Mike Johnson said the chances of actually getting that money from the legislature don't look good.

"With the $900 million shortfall that we've got to try and balance next year's budget, this is something I don't think probably will be funded this year," said. Senator Mike Johnson.

Senator Johnson said it's possible lawmakers could hand over $4 million in left over funds from previous education budgets, but that would still leave the districts $5 million short.

Emily Hutton from the Oklahoma State School Boards Association said without the money, districts must make hard decisions.

"Means probably cuts in transportation, cuts in field trips, maintenance or repair jobs that districts had planned over the summer have to be suspended," Hutton said.

While the districts try to figure out where to trim, the state department of education remains optimistic.

"We're hopeful, we're definitely hopeful," Hickman said. "We'd like to work with them. We'd like to resolve this situation where schools don't receive any cuts to their budgets."

The Department of Education needs the money in two weeks, or else it'll have to make the cuts. The legislature also has to come up with an additional $11 million for education. That money will make up for a shortfall in the ad valorem reimbursement fund.

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