Lawmaker proposed bonus for eligible teachers

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Oklahoma State Senator Rob Standridge wants to help end the teacher shortage with his bill, The Teacher Retention Act of 2020. It would give teachers with a national certification, a $1,500 bonus. They would also have other requirements.

“Once they get into it, my hope is they won’t be apt to be attracted to jump to another state or somewhere else,” said Standridge.

Oklahoma has nearly 43,000 teachers and only about 3100 have national certifications. Only a small percentage would be eligible. Standridge says his goal is to support high standards.

“To try to reward those teachers that go the extra mile and the best and brightest among us. We want to keep in the state. So, we want to keep all teachers in the state but this kind of provides a pathway up if you will,” said Standridge.

Broken Arrow has used stipends as bonuses and salary increases to retain teachers. After a historical salary increase, Charlie Hannema says they did keep some of the most experienced teachers, who might have retired.

But Hannema says Broken Arrow Public Schools would like to see more classroom support for teachers, along with additional funds for salaries.