[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6354708,"mediaKeyId","2219702-37bc3eae6bd6f61bdec175288f11fffc","parentId",2219702,"title","Oklahoma Department of Education seeks $88.6M FBA increase, $3M recurring Bible program and other budget requests","audioSeconds",3630,"startMs",1948000,"endMs",5578000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219702-37bc3eae6bd6f61bdec175288f11fffc&start=1948&end=5578","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219702-37bc3eae6bd6f61bdec175288f11fffc/thumbnail_1948000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6354708/Oklahoma/Oklahoma-Department-of-Education-seeks-886M-FBA-increase-3M-recurring-Bible-program-and-other-budget-requests","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354708-6aae1d0f8779ed7a267698e4c81e973d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776198652&Signature=C~BNZqMXcYi9x215GE6yCodPVtgip6ELoOky32z4UR9mTCKu8UjUqK76C1LOQ8LfyarcscKB0k1Sgw1i8dqo0sAm4rYKscO1gwm0kac6V7pfFksnet21XCkupwsUKMjM6STGoVWZSpe~fZ8kEIUjGpxfHHRoFHqNoiOAAOpu8VBylSFUO2UVIyiEs0S81SYNuJf3l2P98FdlhD7Bc6MKiQSFrJoNquTVA72CREzfcDeJZebmzLCAORiAY9YtZOU7d2Lu74yItgpG-WMKZmvX2DXJW~37g1lSzk2LAdpR-vlm-sz9SMAJFBFh6AfPhWSW4s9VMJTJzfgHtDqQ5lbiFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","OK State Legislature","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Oklahoma State Department of Education asked the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 4 for a package of budget increases that included an $88,569,748 recurring request for the Foundation Block Aid increase, a 6% cost‑of‑living adjustment for department employees and a $3,000,000 recurring line for a state program to place King James Bibles in classrooms.

Why it matters: The requests affect K‑12 funding and operations across the state, including classroom materials, teacher benefits and school security. Committee members pressed officials on funding details, program scope and whether some items are one‑time needs or should be recurring in future budgets.

At the committee meeting, Senator Seifried, vice chair of the education subcommittee, summarized the department’s requests and turned to department representatives for details. On the largest line item, Seifried said the department requested $88,569,748 recurring “for the FBA increase. This includes certified and support personnel.” The department also proposed a 6% COLA for State Department of Education employees and a $2,854,634 operations increase that the presentation said would cover personnel, IT, facilities, maintenance and professional development.

Superintendent Walters confirmed that the department is proposing a $3,000,000 recurring “Bible initiative” to provide King James Version Bibles to grades 5–12. Walters said the department has already purchased 500 Bibles for Advanced Placement government courses “for just south of $25,000” and that the $3 million request is intended to fund about 55,000 classroom copies to place “one Bible in every classroom.” Walters said the department plans to issue a request for proposals and that vendors could bid at lower prices. Asked about durability and recurring costs, Walters said the recurring line is intended to allow replacement over time depending on classroom wear and demand: “After this first year, we'd like to be able to come back to you all and say what the return rate is, how much of a need there is in the future.”

The Bible initiative drew sustained questioning from several senators about cost, instructional purpose and sourcing. Senator Stanley asked about the reading level of the King James Version; Walters replied, “The reading level of a King James Bible is gonna be pretty high. It would be higher than twelfth grade.” Walters framed the request as providing primary source material in historical context and stated, “This is not to evangelize the kids. This is for its historical significance as it relates to the history curriculum.”

Committee members also examined other education requests. Seifried said the department is seeking an additional maternity leave revolving fund allocation; the hearing record contains inconsistent figures. Early in the presentation Seifried said the fund had been funded at $2,500,000 historically and that the department was asking for an additional $1,500,000 to bring the total to $4,000,000 recurring. Later in the hearing Superintendent Walters said the department’s intent was to increase the fund to $6,500,000, describing it as a net request that would reflect participation by additional districts such as Tulsa Public Schools. Walters told the committee the department exhausted the prior year’s funds even without Tulsa participating and that awareness and program take‑up have grown.

Other specific items presented included a one‑time $5,000,000 request for IT modernization, a $344,315 request tied to virtual proctoring for assessments (the department said a statute requires virtual proctoring), a new $1,000,000 teacher induction program to support new teachers through mentors and professional development, and a $400,000 request for student information security (described as multi‑factor/\"Zscaler\"‑style protections). Seifried noted a separate $21,800,000 supplemental request to fund FBA for fiscal 2025 that the presentation said would be reflected on the committee’s live worksheet.

School security funding drew questions about scope and implementation. The department requested $500,000 “for school personnel right to carry,” described by Seifried and Walters as training funds for teachers or school staff in districts that choose to permit carrying and for signage noting personnel may be armed. Walters said participation would be a local district decision and characterized the funding as a pilot to meet demand primarily in smaller, rural districts that have limited on‑site law enforcement. He said the department estimated the $500,000 would allow roughly 50 districts to pilot the program and that the funds would be complementary to earlier school safety grants focused on facilities.

Committee members repeatedly asked for more detail on several line items, including how many Bibles would be supplied at different price points, how long Bibles would remain usable in classrooms, and whether districts or private groups might provide Bibles at low or no cost. Walters answered that the department had received outreach from groups willing to participate in distribution and that the department planned an RFP to allow competitive bids.

What’s next: Seifried said there would be subsequent subcommittee recommendations and that appropriations members would have further opportunities to vet, amend and prioritize these requests during the committee’s meetings this week. No formal appropriations votes or recommendations were made during the Feb. 4 presentation; the hearing consisted of agency requests and member questions.

Ending: The State Department of Education’s presentation covered several recurring and one‑time items that senators said they would continue to examine in subcommittee and full committee deliberations, particularly the Bible initiative, the maternity leave revolving fund level and the FBA supplemental request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations \t2025-02-04","oneSentenceSummary","The Oklahoma State Department of Education asked the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 4 for a package of budget increases that included an $88,569,748 recurring request for the Foundation Block Aid increase, a 6% cost‑of‑living adjustment for department employees and a $3,000,000 recurring line for a state program to place King James Bibles in classrooms.","taxTitle","Appropriations and Budget, House of Representatives, Legislative, Oklahoma","taxId",27070,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6354692,"OCAST requests funding to expand industry innovation, capital access and a STEM internship program",525,7721000,8246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219702-37bc3eae6bd6f61bdec175288f11fffc&start=7721&end=8246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219702-37bc3eae6bd6f61bdec175288f11fffc/thumbnail_7721000.jpg","/articles/6354692/Oklahoma/OCAST-requests-funding-to-expand-industry-innovation-capital-access-and-a-STEM-internship-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354692-320a23ea066ff0ecb23e64b3e9548647/orig.mp4?Expires=1776198652&Signature=mo51Ov5Gt8PpnjpnM3hvggb8pO8z2TUKhpknDQEDMfeb2nV-qcxA9OednV3MnUdL7j5R-MiKZ0m4d50wL6ZEaYdEZrmCV1u92M1jMbvIzjTqMYsZmeVD36vBItyqyQjYbVV5gCvOxeuUW5qn3UoYpdDTSKJzV2TL6aAqZ-CCJMUZGjWlQWPFIq-glMQGPvRZafbCISpvErjm-D~m-KnCmfwZlQGvmMG9c4pI0vbetBGpMEgS2xX7x-j-tUStfj38vKSU9ZGcYm-3XAGnEvmJLVRGO-DAKGGlrEbHtlGQw1PjWNHgGcfdvUyeYyJusJpnRVLvbeYggmSVyYG78AFokA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oklahoma’s innovation agency, OCAST, told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 4 it seeks modest recurring operational increases and larger investments to expand its industry innovation grants and a STEM internship program.

Why it matters: OCAST programs are intended to spur technology commercialization, small business growth and workforce development in science and tech fields; funding choices affect statewide economic development and federal match capacity.

Senator Seifried presented OCAST’s requests and Director McGrail, appearing before the committee, described three programmatic priorities: expanding the Industry Innovation Program (the agency received 70 applications last year and funded 16), sustaining and expanding a STEM internship program, and addressing capital access gaps for Oklahoma innovators. OCAST requested $2,200,000 to expand its Industry Innovation Program (allowing multiple cohorts and increased awards), $1,000,000 to sustain and broaden a STEM internship program, and $264,377 one‑time to address capital access gaps. The agency also requested smaller recurring operational increases to support grant‑seeking and program administration.

McGrail and committee members discussed how OCAST’s grant programs require dollar‑for‑dollar matches and leverage federal and foundation funding. McGrail told senators that the Industry Innovation Program left “missed opportunities” last year because demand exceeded available awards; she said unfunded applicants represented potential job retention and creation, and cited program impact numbers — including average job wages for funded projects — as justification for expanded state support.

On the STEM internship program, OCAST said it served a modest number of companies (the director said OCAST supported about 19 companies last year with roughly 27 interns) using existing operations and deobligated funds and now seeks a $1,000,000 appropriation to expand reach and formalize matching and contracting practices.

What’s next: OCAST leadership told senators the agency is tracking sustainability risks tied to federal grants and ARPA‑era funds but said it is managing a portfolio of programs and will not deploy awards until matches and funds are secured. The committee asked for additional detail on program metrics and sustainability planning.

Ending: OCAST requested targeted funding to scale innovation grants and a STEM internship program; senators requested additional performance and match details before committing recurring state dollars.","The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) requested recurring and one‑time funds to expand its industry innovation program, to sustain a STEM internships initiative and to leverage federal and foundation matches for innovation projects.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6354697,"CareerTech asks recurring funds to address 6,400‑student wait list and expand workforce programs",824,6878000,7702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219702-37bc3eae6bd6f61bdec175288f11fffc&start=6878&end=7702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219702-37bc3eae6bd6f61bdec175288f11fffc/thumbnail_6878000.jpg","/articles/6354697/Oklahoma/CareerTech-asks-recurring-funds-to-address-6400student-wait-list-and-expand-workforce-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354697-fd8241a70f4cd78a715220545901cf35/orig.mp4?Expires=1776198652&Signature=XEYZdBf5LBbr9YVjQLGwaWcs8qfFBilDg8jCWFEbwQMBHLlEcDYzIZDImkxbverHimlJCguVG4OAQTBiSRk8mkihqh5nRp26PQc4q24fznRD19ucS7SjARjtpqdqP9O5D75ovlZcpHPLl68VunmUvK63V~keK1uuj8apdquZBy8VARTy8yJilMsLnBP~K7r2ywvvsFGHCuVmNBX8BQyiBZY9veKHAFOTzzgrIIgi2XB1w1xjq6VT~SaniU4GIXSY0osD-aRMoZJjRR6L912w8SXL-Oj3SG67jIfHBpqYAU9TDu7v1XVUxGDCx8O4V8NFQ1mgAxzi65XX3gkvpCkp2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Statewide Career and Technical Education system told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 4 that it needs recurring state funding to address a wait list of students seeking training in health care, construction, manufacturing and other high‑demand fields.

Why it matters: Career and technical programs supply job‑ready graduates for critical occupations. Lawmakers asked how many students would be served and what outcomes the state would see in return for state investment.

Senator Seifried presented CareerTech’s request. Director Brett Hakan told the committee that CareerTech used a $28 million one‑time allocation from last year to reduce the wait list and that the system has added students through operational improvements. Hakan said the current wait list is about 6,400 students and that projected need over a four‑year window exceeds 10,000 students.

CareerTech requested $41,650,000 recurring to expand program enrollment — the presentation said that would add or expand 41 health career training programs, 37 construction trades programs, 31 manufacturing programs and 47 other training programs — plus $3,500,000 recurring to support K‑12 instructors for those programs and $1,000,000 to expand programs in currently unserved areas. Hakan said the $28 million from the prior session was provided in a lump sum to give local schools time to procure equipment and staff, and that the new request is intended to sustain and expand the work.

Hakan described a stepped approach that tailored funds to local needs (equipment, teachers or facility expansions) rather than imposing a uniform solution. He told senators CareerTech’s return on investment research shows a strong economic benefit; he cited a third‑party study showing CareerTech’s average ROI at $9.39 returned for every $1 invested and that first‑year average wages for career tech completers exceed typical high school graduate wages by about $16,000.

Committee members sought detail on how many more students would be served by the recurring request. Hakan said the system expects to serve the wait list with several years of sustained funding and that local districts must also contribute; he said the $41.65 million request minus the prior one‑time allocation equates to about $19 million in new recurring funding compared with the status quo.

What’s next: CareerTech officials said they will provide detailed metrics on how the one‑time funds were spent and projected enrollment increases from recurring funding. No formal votes occurred at the hearing.

Ending: CareerTech presented a plan to scale training across health, construction and manufacturing fields and told the committee sustained recurring funding is necessary to eliminate the current wait list and meet growing statewide workforce needs.","CareerTech requested recurring funding to expand programs and staffing to reduce a wait list of students seeking career and technical training; officials said prior one‑time funds produced gains but more sustained dollars are needed to meet rising demand.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6354703,"State regents request large one‑time institutional allocations, $101M deferred maintenance and campus funding plan",0,5563000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219702-37bc3eae6bd6f61bdec175288f11fffc&start=5563&end=5563","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219702-37bc3eae6bd6f61bdec175288f11fffc/thumbnail_5563000.jpg","/articles/6354703/Oklahoma/State-regents-request-large-onetime-institutional-allocations-101M-deferred-maintenance-and-campus-funding-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354703-b787d8ac7dfa15cf93b2b68bf98e049b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776198652&Signature=Zm9cStZ08wUSGXTiUXCoU8mSBKt~rZNPWw4~DBvUXeg~bmGjnslzrgfCNKSFMbiq2fIIo7M~LnHrvb6BWPkyJ9D9pwJHSzHN34Qt4E9~Bq6aBf5avs1NJqzOsMXUVpC9mNbDTIe~ooRv1UcyWWP0K1s51iP9I4Iv72rk-~v0T8T3dDCj5O4kxdGalec98LMckZlmUyh2vIBslVqsi1UdRkbsrLenQJ~dB3h2d~fmyBHtnc6ukXHJ1z5bJgXebkYDBk-XY1Cso~ICQI34JCcP-o8dGBkaJ~IIMDZD5-HAidTrACEt1JrD1vf7s0WKuJFZrVauknq5JLEQrJQkLZ0o-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Feb. 4 Appropriations hearing, the State Regents for Higher Education presented a multicomponent request that mixes recurring program funding with large one‑time allocations for deferred maintenance and institutional needs.

Why it matters: The regents’ proposal would direct substantial one‑time dollars and recurring investments to public higher education across Oklahoma, including large targeted allocations for research universities and expanded workforce and student success initiatives.

Senator Seifried summarized the regents’ requests to the Appropriations Committee, saying the package includes legislative initiatives and programming of about $9,260,000 and larger proposals for workforce and performance initiatives. The regents’ presentation to the committee listed a $101,250,000 request for deferred maintenance and a larger institutional specific needs request previously characterized by regents staff as recurring but presented to the committee as a one‑time allocation in the materials. The institutional specific request included $75,000,000 each for the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, $55,000,000 for regional universities, $11,000,000 for two‑year colleges and $80,000,000 for constituent agencies and operating/capital needs.

Regents staff and the newly introduced chancellor told senators they view the institutional package as a means to strengthen research universities’ competitiveness (including recruitment and retention of faculty), support critical workforce degree programs and preserve regional and rural campus capacity. The chancellor said Oklahoma faces out‑of‑state enrollment competition — particularly from Texas institutions that are tightening enrollment — and argued that investment would help retain and recruit students and faculty who contribute to the state’s workforce.

Several senators asked how the regents would distinguish deferred maintenance from the institutional specific investments. Chancellor comments said deferred maintenance funding is intended to be advanced now so campuses can “beat inflation” on capital needs. The institutional specific funding would be allocated to programmatic and operational priorities described by campus requests, with regents staff responsible for distribution.

Senator Hicks asked whether historically underfunded institutions, including Langston University (Oklahoma’s only historically Black public university), were included. Regents staff and the chancellor said Langston would be considered within the $55,000,000 regional universities allocation. Senators sought more detail on how the regents would allocate funds across campuses, whether allocations would be based on enrollment, workforce priorities or other metrics, and whether the institutional requests were intended to be recurring. The chancellor said the regents would consider workforce needs, programmatic priorities and retention/graduation metrics rather than relying strictly on enrollment.

The regents’ materials indicate the large institutional package would most likely be funded as a one‑time legacy capital allocation; staff told the committee the initial request had included recurring language but was presented as one‑time to match committee expectations.

What’s next: Senators asked for more detailed allocation methodology and for the regents to provide specific amounts for individual institutions; regents staff said those details would be developed and presented in follow‑up work and at subcommittee meetings. No formal appropriation decisions were made at the hearing.

Ending: The regents’ request places large capital and programmatic sums before the Appropriations Committee; committee members signaled interest in more granular allocation criteria and in how the regents will direct one‑time funds among research, regional and two‑year institutions.","The Oklahoma State Regents asked the Appropriations Committee for a mix of recurring and one‑time funding that includes $101.25 million for deferred maintenance, a $300 million institutional specific needs package (outlined as one‑time in materials) and allocations targeted at research universities and regional campuses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oklahoma Department of Education seeks $88.6M FBA increase, $3M recurring Bible program and other budget requests

OCAST requests funding to expand industry innovation, capital access and a STEM internship program

CareerTech asks recurring funds to address 6,400‑student wait list and expand workforce programs

State regents request large one‑time institutional allocations, $101M deferred maintenance and campus funding plan