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When discussing teacher compensation, nearly all the focus revolves around average salaries. But ignoring teacher retirement benefits also ignores the cost to taxpayers.

Tax and fee increases passed during the 2018 session took effect in August, but most of the revenue growth came from a growing economy. Legislative changes resulted in $18.3 million, or 16%, of the total growth for the month.

Regrettably, bad news in Oklahoma’s public education system is all too easy to come by. But I’ve also seen some good news lately, and it’s important to highlight it.

After former officials David Boren and Drew Edmondson held a press conference on education, Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), released the following the statement.

A clear and full picture of public employee compensation is important when debating whether to increase the tax burden on Oklahomans.

It’s election season, and the two competing worldviews on the ballot are not new.

“As a family we are so thankful for the Catholic Schools Opportunity Scholarship Fund that’s made it possible for us to send him to this school. When Luis goes off to college he will be the first in our family to attend and graduate. He will be the first grandchild and oldest sibling to set the standard for the rest of his younger siblings and cousins. We couldn’t be more proud to be part of the Cristo Rey family.”

After State Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, called an interim study to pressure the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association to kick students who attend private school out of some athletic competitions, Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), released the following statement.

How many teachers can be hired with a school superintendent’s compensation? This isn’t a riddle. It’s data relevant to the school shutdowns of 2018 when educators went on strike in Oklahoma and elsewhere.

The Oklahoma State Treasurer, along with the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), released their monthly report for July’s revenue collections.