BALLOT TITLE

This measure amends the Oklahoma School Code by adding a new section: Oklahoma Statute Title 70 Section 18-126 to require that sixty-five percent (65%) of the operational expenditures of a school district be spent on classroom instruction. For purposes of this Act, classroom instruction includes expenditures directly related to the classroom: instructional staff and materials, activities involving interaction between students and teachers or other classroom personnel, special education instruction, tutors, books, classroom computers, general instruction supplies, instructional aides, libraries and librarians, class activities such as field trips, athletics, arts, music and multidisciplinary learning, and extra-curricular activities including drama, sports and band.

The measure establishes a process for implementation of the Act and also permits waivers by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in certain circumstances. Nothing in the measure would force or require the closing or consolidation of any schools or school districts.

Shall the following proposal be approved?

For the proposal - YES

Against the proposal - NO

A “YES” vote is a vote in favor of this measure. A “NO” vote is a vote against this measure.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA THAT A NEW SECTION 18-126 OF TITLE 70 OF THE OKLAHOMA STATUTES BE APPROVED:

§70-18-126. The First Class Education For Oklahoma Act

A. This Act shall be known as The First Class Education For Oklahoma Act.

B. A school district shall spend at least sixty-five per cent of its Operational Expenditures on Classroom Instructional Expenditures.

C. A school district that does not spend at least sixty-five per cent of its Operational Expenditures on Classroom Instructional Expenditures in fiscal year 2007 shall for fiscal year 2008 increase the percentage of its Operational Expenditures that it spends on Classroom Instructional Expenditures by at least two per cent each subsequent fiscal year until the school district spends at least sixty-five per cent of its Operational Expenditures on Classroom Instructional Expenditures as required by this Act.

D. A school district shall submit its proposed annual budget to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction who shall verify that the school district's planned Classroom Instructional Expenditures are in compliance with this Act. In addition, the required annual report from each district shall be amended to show the total Classroom Instructional Expenditures as a percentage of the total Operational Expenditures for the year then ended.

E. If the budget submitted pursuant to Section D of this Act indicates that a school district is unable to meet either the requirement prescribed in Section B or the requirement prescribed in Section C of this Act , the district's annual report shall show that it did not comply with this Act for a particular year. The school district may petition the Superintendent of Public Instruction for a one-year waiver from the requirements of Sections B and/or C of this Act. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall notify the school district within thirty days after the submission of the waiver petition whether the Superintendent will grant, deny or grant in part the waiver request.

F. In determining whether or not to grant a full or partial waiver under Section E of this Act, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall consider all of the facts and circumstances including, but not limited to, whether the costs of transportation services are demonstrably higher because of the geographic size of or the distribution of the students throughout the district.

G. The legislature shall determine under what circumstances and to what extent sanctions may be taken or applied against school districts that do not comply with the requirements of this Act.

H. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop model plans to assist districts in meeting the requirements of this Act. In particular, it should be the goal of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education, in administering The First Class Education For Oklahoma Act, to provide districts with the tools to meet the requirements of this Act. Nothing in this Act should be construed to require the consolidation of a district with another district or the closing or elimination of any school or school district.

I. For purposes of this Act, “Classroom Instructional Expenditures” means expenditures directly related to classroom instruction, including, but not limited to, instructional staff and instructional materials. “Instructional” shall include activities dealing directly with interaction between students and teachers or other classroom and instructional personnel, special education instruction, tutors, books, classroom computers, general instruction supplies, instructional aides, libraries and librarians, class activities such as field trips, athletics, arts, music and multidisciplinary learning, and extra curricular activities including, but not limited to, drama, sports and band.

J. For purposes of this Act, “ Operational Expenditures" means all expenditures made by a school district other than expenditures for capital construction or debt or bond payments, including but not limited to the payment of interest on debt or bonds, and expenditures for facilities' leases and facilities' rental payments.