Published: August 22, 2008 10:35 am            

Bad idea, good goal

Some educators in Oklahoma, including members of the Oklahoma Education Association, have launched an initiative petition that, if passed by voters, would mandate the state Legislature finance schools at the regional average for per-pupil expenditures.

Roughly, it would mean an additional $850 million for public schools in Oklahoma.

In a city like Stillwater where residents know the importance of education, the petition may seem like a good idea at first blush. We suggest taking a second look.

While increasing funding for education is an admirable goal, tying the hands of lawmakers who have many other needs to consider usually results in more numerous and greater problems. Requiring a certain amount of money be put toward education each year, regardless of the economy, relative need or state of other items also funded by taxes, makes it less likely that legislators will be able to handle the next emergency.

For better or worse, lawmakers are more responsive to pressure than ever before. When people screamed for “tough on crime” legislation, lawmakers across the country responded with mandatory minimum sentences. That was followed by a boom in prison construction and an explosion in prison populations. At this time, it’s difficult to call the result positive.

Educators would be better off continuing their efforts to work with legislators while convincing their patrons to lobby — rather than scream at — lawmakers for improved school funding. When a consensus develops, the funding will, too.

        

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