Okla. ed board approves $289M budget request hike

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma State Board of Education has approved a $2.3 billion budget request from Oklahoma lawmakers that includes additional funding for teacher pay raises.

The board on Thursday approved the budget request for lawmakers to consider as they craft a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The request represents a $289 million increase over the funding levels for the current fiscal year.

The budget includes a request for $235 million more in state aid to schools that could be used to fund teacher pay hikes. Other areas targeted for large increases include $23 million more to help districts pay for benefits, $13 million to implement school reforms and a $6.5 million boost for administrative and support functions.

Lawmakers will consider the budget request after they convene in February.