Oklahoma House proposal would add 7 school days for $175 million

OKLAHOMA CITY — House lawmakers proposed extending Oklahoma’s minimum school year by seven days and pledged $175 million to make it happen.

House Bill 3151 passed off the House floor 62-28 Wednesday evening and heads to the Senate, where leadership has endorsed the measure.

The bill is the first firm proposal from the House this session for increasing public school funding, though leaders have discussed adding funds for other education initiatives, as well. Senate leaders unveiled their $254 million education funding plan weeks ago.

“We put a flag in the ground yesterday that said we believe that despite this year being the highest funding level in the history of the state of Oklahoma for public education, we want the (next) budget and the year after next to be even higher than it is this year,” House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, told news reporters Thursday.

Oklahoma House proposal would add 7 school days for $175 million • Oklahoma Voice