Education funding and teacher pay have been in the spotlight in Oklahoma throughout 2015.  Sen. Roger Thompson believes that will certainly continue to be the case in 2016.  In order to better understand those concerns, Thompson has asked all public school districts in Senate District 8 to provide detailed information about their budgets and expenditures.
“I am committed to working hard for our children and their education, as I believe our teachers and administrators are.  I know teacher pay is going to be an issue in the 2016 legislative session.  In order to make the most informed decision possible, I’ve asked all our districts to provide their complete budgets.  I want to see how all their funds are currently being used and look at the salaries and compensation packages for district employees, including our teachers, aids, assistants and administrative staff,”  said Thompson, R-Okemah.
Letters requesting the budget information were sent by mail this week.  In addition to asking for financial data, Thompson has also asked local school superintendents to let him know any issues of concern they’d like him to be aware of as he prepares for the coming session.
“I look forward to hearing from our administrators about the nuts and bolts of their budgets, as well as any policy issues they’d like to see addressed,” Thompson said. “We have a shared goal of ensuring our children get the best education possible.  With their input and assistance, we can work together to achieve that goal.”
For more information, contact Sen. Roger Thompson at 405-521-5588, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..