Thursday, June 23, 2011

Budget Leaders Applaud Barresi, Education Board

Legislative budget leaders praised Superintendent Janet Barresi's financial plan approved today by the Board of Education, saying it maximizes classroom funding even in a tough financial environment.

With the board tied at 3-3 today, Barresi cast the deciding vote to adopt the leaner budget.

“Faced with difficult choices, the school budget approved today strikes the right balance by funding those programs that provide the most direct benefit to students,” said Rep. Earl Sears, a Bartlesville Republican who chairs the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

“The budget adopted today will allow our schools to continue their important mission of preparing the next generation of leaders for college and the workforce.”

“This is the third year the state has faced a major budget shortfall, and government continues to adjust to the ‘new normal’ of budget austerity,” said Senator David Myers, a Ponca City Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“However, the budget approved today for Oklahoma schools adopts the right approach by prioritizing student learning over bureaucracy and fulfilling important funding obligations established in law. I appreciate the strong leadership of Superintendent Barresi in making the tough decisions necessary to guide our schools through this tough financial time.”

Share |