Oklahoma House Bill HB1572

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/2/21
• Refer: 2/3/21

Caption

School employee pay; removing funding contingency; effective date; emergency.

Impact

The enactment of HB 1572 is expected to provide a more stable and predictable compensation structure for school employees who hold national certifications. This bill ensures that those who meet stringent certification standards are rewarded appropriately for their qualifications, thereby potentially aiding in retention efforts for these vital roles within school districts. Furthermore, the establishment of a revolving fund specifically for these bonuses signifies a dedicated effort by the state to prioritize the support of specialized educational staff.

Summary

House Bill 1572 is designed to amend current regulations regarding salary bonuses for certain school employees in Oklahoma, specifically targeting school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists. The bill proposes to remove the funding contingency that previously depended on state budget allocations, thus allowing for more consistent distribution of bonuses to qualifying individuals. Under this legislation, certified professionals in these fields would receive an annual salary bonus of $5,000, aimed at recognizing their specialized training and contributions to public education.

Contention

While HB 1572 is primarily aimed at benefiting school personnel, the removal of the funding contingency has raised some concerns among critics regarding the long-term sustainability of the funding source. Critics worry that without proper fiscal oversight, the revolving fund may become overburdened or underfunded, risking the ability to fulfill bonus payments in future years. Additionally, there is a debate about the implications this bill carries for educational equity, particularly whether this type of bonus practice could be extended to other educational staff or if it will create disparities among various roles within the education sector.