Why Oklahoma needs a Yes on SQ744

Whenever it comes to budget cuts, it seems as if education is one of the first victims of the axe.  Legislators say education of our children is paramount at the same time they are cutting funding.  Oklahoma State Question 744 will force the legislature to fund education to the regional average without raising taxes.

In 2008-2009 school year, Oklahoma spent less per student than all six surrounding states with $8,006 while the regional average is $9,633 and the national average is $10,193. (Source: www.yeson744.com and State Departments of Education).  That is over $2,000 less per student than the national average and it is wrong.

A yes vote on SQ744 will:

• Guarantee that the average amount spent for each student in Oklahoma is at least equal to the average spent in other states in our region.
• Ensure the students have up-to-date classroom materials and supplies, smaller class sizes and high quality teachers.
• Require annual reporting to the Education Oversight Board and the Office of Accountability.
• Make our children’s future a priority by investing in teachers and schools.

(Source: www.yeson744.com)

Children are the most precious resource we have.  The education of our children will ensure the success of our great state.  However, without adequately funding education, we cannot help but to fall behind other states in educational opportunities.  Several years ago, Oklahoma voted for the “Oklahoma Education Lottery” where lottery proceeds would supplement, not replace, education money.  We have since found out that was the Oklahoma Education Lottery Lie.  Money was removed from the budget and suddenly lottery proceeds are part of the funding formula.  Now, education depends on the lottery.

It’s time to invest in Oklahoma’s children, our precious resource.  SQ744 will give our students a good, quality education so they have the tools to compete for jobs in the region and across the nation.  Right now, students must use outdated textbooks, share whatever obsolete technology that may still work, and attend crowded classes.

By voting YES on SQ744, we will be declaring that our children are at least as important as children in other states.  We will be preparing them for good-paying jobs by arming them with the skills they need.  Smaller classes will also help children receive the more individualized attention they need and deserve.  SQ744 also requires oversight, accountability and transparency in school funding, spending and performance.

Oklahoma has one of the best, if not the best, teacher preparation curriculum and standards in the nation.  Other states clamor to hire our teachers.  SQ744 will help Oklahoma move up from last place in the region in teacher pay and recruit and retain the best teachers for our students.  Why should our best and brightest teachers have to move out of state to make a decent living?

SQ744 does NOT raise taxes.  What it does is tell the legislature to put the money they raided back into the education budget.  Put the priority back into education and our children.  Our students are our future and Oklahoma needs to invest heavily in it.

Please, vote YES on SQ744 on November 2.  The future of our children’s education depends on it.

For more information, please visit www.Yeson744.com, PO Box 54796, Oklahoma City, OK, 73154 (405) 601-4897.  Follow on Twitter twitter.com/yeson744, or Facebook facebook.com/yeson744.

This article is based on information from www.Yeson744.com.  Neither the author nor this website is affiliated in any way with Yes On 744.

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