Henryetta is one of 337 public schools that shared $19.25 million in a special statewide grant.
School officials were notified late Friday the state would be sending a check for $82,343.72 from the Redbud School Funding Grant.
Another $19 million will be sent out to qualifying schools this summer.
The funding is the result of legislation passed into law last year by Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton. Senate Bill 229 addresses funding disparities for brick-and-mortar public school districts that receive below-average funding from annual local tax revenue.
“This was common sense legislation that creates parity for districts where tax valuations are lesser than in others,” Hilbert said. “Students in these districts have the same needs as in all others, whether in textbooks, technology, other classroom materials or quality programs that help further their education and prepare them for life beyond the classroom."
“The Redbud School Funding Act was a historic step for funding education in our state, and I’m excited these dollars are finally being awarded to our schools,” Montgomery said. “Ensuring all of Oklahoma’s children have access to a high-quality education is a priority of mine, and I’ll continue to work to find outside-of-the-box solutions to bolster our schools in the future. I appreciate Rep. Hilbert’s work in the House to make sure this measure crossed the finish line.”
Henryetta superintendent Dwayne Noble said the monies were a surprise and had not been budgeted. He said those funds will be examined as to how best to use them.
The State Department of Education awarded the grants with funding appropriated from medical marijuana taxes and the Common School Building Equalization Fund.
Henryetta’s grant was the second highest in the area. Only Morris was higher receiving $98,353.63.
Area schools and their funding included: