Oklahoma Senate $254M Education Funding Plan Redirects TRS Money

Oklahoma Senate $254M education funding plan unveiled

Senate leaders have introduced the Oklahoma Senate $254M education funding plan, a proposal that would redirect money originally intended for the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) into classrooms and teacher compensation.

The plan includes a $2,500 across-the-board teacher pay raise, new investments in literacy and math coaching, and additional funding for the public school formula. Supporters say the move addresses urgent classroom needs while still protecting long-term pension stability.

Teacher pay, literacy and math coaching funded

A central feature of the Oklahoma Senate $254M education funding plan is a large investment in teacher compensation and academic support programs.

Funding allocations include:

• Roughly $117 million for teacher pay increases

• $50 million to expand the Strong Readers Act and literacy coaching

• $10 million for statewide literacy coaches

• $10 million for math coaches

• Nearly $30 million added to the school funding formula

Education coverage from KFOR-TV notes the proposal also increases scholarships for future teachers and boosts funding for the Parental Choice Tax Credit program.

Teachers’ Retirement System funding sparks debate

The Oklahoma Senate $254M education funding plan would cap additional annual deposits into the Teachers’ Retirement System at $200 million, freeing funds for classroom spending.

Senate leaders argue the system is already more than 80% funded and that the shift will not impact current retirees or benefits. However, critics warn the move could slow progress toward fully funding the pension and potentially affect future cost-of-living adjustments.

Policy analysis cited by NonDoc Media suggests the change could delay the system’s path to full funding by several years, setting up a major debate between immediate education investments and long-term pension stability.

The Oklahoma Senate $254M education funding plan is expected to be a central issue as lawmakers negotiate education priorities this session.

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