Why Oklahoma Teachers Are Striking

Pretty much everyone in Oklahoma knows about the impending teacher walkouts on April 2nd by now, but not everyone is aware of the reasons why it's happening. To make it a little bit more clear, we have compiled some information to help explain why it's happening and what to expect. There is MUCH MORE to this topic, but this should explain most of what's going on. If you're looking for resources for where your children can be cared for and/or fed during the walkouts, please go read our post Impending Oklahoma Teacher Strike.

*I have to apologize, I've been referring to the events expected to occur on April 2nd as a strike, when they are, in fact, what's referred to as a walkout. However, so as not to lose my views when I change links, I'll leave the link and title as they currently are. Thank you for understanding.

Why Are Teachers Walking Out?

Our state has been in a dramatic state of declining budgets for the past few years. Due to these budgets, already low school budgets have had to endure drastic cuts. The increasing cuts led to many of our state's best teachers leaving for higher pay in other states. Even after so many teachers left, other teachers were laid off, budgets have been cut to the bone, and even more appalling, not long after laying thousands of teachers off, nearly 2,000 new teachers were given emergency certifications - a slap in the face to our state's experienced teachers who were forced into early retirement or alternate employment.

Many school districts have gone to 4 day school weeks to save money, and there's even talk of combining students from different grade levels so that some schools can be closed entirely. Schools are struggling to provide updated books and materials, with many giving students books that are literally falling apart. Teachers don't even have budgets for copies in many cases. Several schools have lost access to extracurricular activities such as art and music, and some don't even have support staff such as librarians and custodians! In spite of passing tax plans that promised to fund our children's' educations, there doesn't seem to be enough money to even pay our teachers to come to work, much less cover the cost of them having to buy all their supplies out of pocket (yes, they have to provide many of their own supplies and some of your children's supplies too).

What Are Their Demands?

The Oklahoma Education Association is demanding the following over the next three years:

• $10,000 more per year for teachers; $6,000 more for the fiscal year 2019 budget and then $2,000 raises over the next two years.

• $5,000 raises for school support professionals such as secretaries, custodians, and bus drivers.

• $200 million to restore school funding to previous levels

• $213 million more for state employee raises

• $255 million for health care funding

If $800,000,000 of that isn't available by April 1st, the walkout will go into effect.

How Likely Are The Demands To Be Met?

According to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, it's extremely unlikely. They say it's way too much money, and it just isn't possible to meet those demands.

So What Does That Mean For Families?

Unfortunately, if the walkout happens, many parents will have to make alternate arrangements for their child's care starting on April 2nd, or stay home with them. I recommend that you watch your local news station on the evening of April 1st for the latest information. Please note: some rural schools may remain open, as the concern for the safety and nutrition needs of the children they serve is high enough to override their desire to participate in the walkout.

How Long Could The Walkout Last?

Well, the recent walkout in West Virginia lasted for 9 days, so ours could last a week or two... Or possibly, even longer than that. There's really no way to predict how long it will last. Our last statewide teacher walkout, in 1990, lasted 4 days.