Teacher Walk-Out.. Shutdown of Schools

   First of all, the Blanchard Board of Education and administration supports and stands by its teachers in whatever action(s) they take in response to the lack of student funding coming from our Legislature... for the last 10 years. We are all on the same team. A Resolution of Support for our Blanchard teachers will be forthcoming, next Wednesday at 6 PM in the board room of the admin. building. We have received many questions from parents, students, citizens, and Blanchard Public Schools' supporters, as to what happens now. The OEA has announced a planned teacher walk-out on April 2, if lawmakers haven't drafted a workable plan for providing a teacher pay raise and additional operational funding for our public schools. Many people agree that teachers desperately need a pay increase, but disagree on the way to do that. Several local lawmakers have shot down all revenue options for paying for a teacher salary increase, saying things like: "I believe teachers need a pay raise, but a one-cent sales tax increase is not the way to do it." or "I believe teachers need a pay raise, but raising taxes for working Oklahomans is not the way." or "I believe teachers need a pay raise, but raising taxes for the wealthy and corporations is not the way.".. So, the question for our conservative, corporate, and liberal lawmakers, then becomes what is the appropriate way for teachers to receive a desperately needed pay increase? No corporate lawmaker has answered this question for his or her constituents yet! Corporatism is the party of "No", but with never a plan of their own. Conservatism is the party of "no tax increases", but with a better plan to provide teacher pay raises (see Tax Increment Financing reductions on this blog), which corporatists always shoot down.
   It is important to realize at this point, that the OEA wanted teachers to wait a few more weeks before walking out, until May 1 or April 23 at the earliest. Oklahoma teachers overruled the OEA, however, and announced the walk-out would begin on April 2. The teacher, school support employee, and state employee pay increase plan will provide a $10,000 pay raise for teachers - $6000 the first year, $2000 the second year, and $2000 the third. Support employees could receive a $5,000 pay increase over the same 3 year period, and state employees in general could receive a pay increase if their respective agencies agreed. The main difference in the HB 1033xx teacher pay raise plan and this "teacher led" plan is that the corporate gross production tax increase will be 7% in the teacher plan, while HB 1033xx only required a 4% gross production tax. Of course, income tax rates for the wealthy and corporations would increase in the teachers' plan, while income tax rates for the working class would increase very little (if any at all).
   The Oklahoma State School Boards Association has listed issues which our public schools should consider when teachers leave and a school must suspend operations:
1. School calendar: District policy may authorize the superintendent to adjust the school calendar to reflect a time period of suspended operations, although a school board may wish to take a formal vote.
2. Pay: Employee pay would be affected by a work stoppage.
* Staff would not be able to receive new compensation while operations are suspended.
* Because Oklahoma schools pay for services over a 12 month period, those employees would have accrued some compensation to which they are entitled.
* Once a school district falls below the contracted 180 days/1080 hours in the calendar, then pay would be deducted at one day's rate of pay per day of the work stoppage.
* Hourly support employees would not be able to be paid for time not worked.
* When the calendar is adjusted to make up lost days/hours, hourly support employees would be paid for work performed. Districts can choose to allow support employees to continue to work during a work stoppage.
3. Leave: If school operations are suspended, it is unnecessary for employees to take leave.
4. Employee benefits: Employee benefits can be affected for employees during the suspension of school operations in response to a work stoppage.
5. Extra duties: The school board can authorize continuance of extracurricular activities, allowing employees to continue to coach/direct activities, hold practice and attend contests.
6. Student issues: District leaders must consider a variety of student issues related to a work stoppage.
* Graduation standards - Local school boards determine whether students have met local and state graduation requirements.
* Extracurricular activities and sports - The school board can authorize continuance of extracurricular and sports.
* Child nutrition - School boards can authorize continued supervision and nutrition options for students.
7. Returning to school: There are two methods that would allow resumptions of school operations.
* If the superintendent authorized the suspension, the superintendent has the authority to resume operations.
* If the board voted to alter the calendar, the board should vote to resume school.
8. Time concerns: What happens to a district if it doesn't meet the 180 days/1080 hours requirement?
* Districts can seek relief from the state board of education but could be cited for accreditation deficiencies and/or be assessed a reduction in state aid.

**For answers to other questions you may have, please ask your local school superintendent.