Oklahoma State Board Approves $4B Education Budget Amid Rising Costs

The Oklahoma State Board of Education has approved a $4 billion budget request for the 2027 fiscal year, marking a mostly flat budget with a $23.7 million increase primarily due to rising health insurance costs for teachers. The budget includes nearly $12 million dedicated to literacy programs and over $42 million for teacher retention and recruitment efforts, highlighting concerns about maintaining a strong teaching workforce. Superintendent Lindel Fields emphasized the importance of great teachers and the struggles the state has faced in retaining them. The board also suspended accreditation downgrades for 14 school districts, citing concerns that the previous superintendent, Ryan Walters, had misused the accreditation process, prompting calls for a reset. Additionally, the board reinstated teaching certificates for three Sperry educators after new evidence showed revoking their licenses violated state law, opting instead for reprimands and probation. Lawmakers were present during the budget meeting, reflecting the significant attention and impact of the education budget on schools statewide.