Oklahoma House Bill HB3676

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22

Caption

Superintendents; boards of education contracts with superintendents; limiting superintendent salary for certain school districts; effective date; emergency.

Impact

The bill is designed to limit expenditures on administrative salaries in smaller school districts, potentially redirecting financial resources towards educational programs and student services. By imposing a salary ceiling, the legislation seeks to alleviate fiscal pressure on local educational budgets, potentially improving the financial health of these districts. However, it maintains flexibility for superintendents serving multiple districts as long as their combined ADM exceeds 250, allowing for higher salaries in those cases.

Summary

House Bill 3676 proposes amendments to Section 5-106 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, focusing on the employment contracts of school superintendents in relation to their salaries and the size of the school districts they serve. Specifically, the bill establishes a salary cap of $80,000 per year for superintendents in school districts with an average daily membership (ADM) of 250 students or fewer. This cap includes all forms of compensation such as fringe benefits and extracurricular pay, intending to provide more equitable salary structures across smaller districts.

Contention

During discussions surrounding this bill, there are notable concerns regarding its implications for the recruiting and retention of qualified superintendents in small districts. Critics argue that imposing such a salary limit may discourage talented candidates from seeking positions in less populous areas, where the cost of living may be comparable to larger districts. Proponents counter that the measure is necessary for fiscal responsibility and ensures that funding is primarily focused on direct educational outcomes rather than administrative overhead.