Oklahoma City, OK – The Senate Appropriations Committee heard several significant budget requests from the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) during a meeting on Tuesday, highlighting a range of initiatives to support education and improve school safety in the state.
One of the key proposals included an additional $1.5 million to the maternity leave revolving fund. OSDE officials explained that the increase in funding was necessary to accommodate a growing number of individuals taking advantage of maternity leave. Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters noted that some school districts were even using the maternity leave benefit as a recruitment tool, and he anticipated that the demand for such leave would continue to rise.
In addition to the maternity leave request, the OSDE proposed a $500,000 allocation to train teachers and school staff who are interested in carrying firearms. The proposed funding would also go toward providing appropriate signage across campuses to alert visitors that certain teachers are armed. This initiative aligns with ongoing discussions about school safety and the role of armed staff in protecting students and faculty.
Another major funding request was for $5 million to modernize the state’s educational technology infrastructure. The funding would be used to upgrade OSDE’s IT systems, aiming to enhance efficiency and support the growing needs of schools across the state.
Perhaps the most controversial request was for $3 million to purchase approximately 55,000 King James Version Bibles for use in 5th through 12th grade classrooms. This initiative, which would be a recurring expense, sparked significant discussion among lawmakers and attendees. Walters defended the request, calling it the most expensive option for the initiative, but stressing the importance of having Bibles available in schools.
Lawmakers raised questions about whether any organizations or groups had offered to donate Bibles to the state, as a potential alternative to using taxpayer dollars. However, Walters did not offer a clear response regarding such offers.
As the Senate Appropriations Committee reviews these requests, the future of each proposal remains uncertain, with legislators weighing the potential benefits and challenges of allocating taxpayer funds to these initiatives.
