$5,000 teacher pay raise included in Oklahoma budget request

Educators in Oklahoma could be getting a raise.

Oklahoma State Superintendent of Education Joy Hofmiester says a $5,000 teacher pay raise is included in the annual budget request that will be presented to the state board of education on Thursday of this week.

“We’ve significantly raised teacher pay in recent years, but so did our neighboring states with whom we are competing," Hofmeister said. "This investment is vital to our ability to build a sustainable teacher workforce, necessary for providing the high-quality education Oklahoma students need and deserve. In the midst of an unprecedented and worsening teacher shortage."

Hofmeister said it is imperative to look for long-term solutions to show that Oklahoma values and respects its teachers.”