Census ranks state "Oklahoma" 47th in school funds
Oklahoman, May 25, 2007
Jeff Raymond

Per-student spending, top five and bottom five states

On Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released per-student funding for 2004-05 by state, including the District of Columbia. Oklahoma ranked 47th, spending $6,613 compared to the national average of $8,701.

However, a windfall could push education funding up considerably.

State Superintendent of Education Sandy Garrett said Oklahoma had improved slightly in the years leading up to those covered in the report. However, she noted, Gov. Brad Henry's priority from after his 2002 election was to increase teacher pay.

"The focus has really been on teacher funding," she said, calling school funding "a moving target" because of legislators' priorities each session.

She noted the Census Bureau report dealt with old data and wasn't sure how the state will have fared in subsequent years.

During a Thursday morning state Board of Education meeting, Assistant State Superintendent Shawn Hime described a proposed state budget that would spend $132 million, or about 30 percent of general revenue, roughly the same as last year. General revenue is money that isn't restricted for other uses.

However, legislation to spend rainy day "spillover" funds is pending and likely to be approved, while the state budget awaits Gov. Brad Henry's signature.

The money is available because of higher-than-expected revenue.

If the spillover bill proceeds, it will bring common education funding to $164.3 million, a 7 percent increase.

The good news, Garrett said, was the state's budget was "robust." The bad news, she said, was that legislators had "other priorities" than boosting education funding.

Board member Michael Mitchel of Woodward asked, "How long is this going to continue to be a joke?"