Hofmeister to speak at today’s education rally

Joy Hofmeister

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – For the second consecutive year, thousands of teachers from across Oklahoma plan to converge on the state Capitol to ask state lawmakers to appropriate more taxpayer dollars to public education.

Monday’s rally is being spearheaded by the Oklahoma Education Coalition, a public school advocacy umbrella group. And participants will bring a laundry list of needs they want state lawmakers to address, including a long-term plan to improve teacher compensation, more resources for public school classrooms and increased instructional time.

Unlike last year, though, Oklahoma’s top educator will be among those rallying for more classroom funding and better teacher pay.

Two months after taking office, Superintendent of Public instruction Joy Hofmeister plans to address those in the state Capitol crowd. Former Superintendent Janet Barresi did not speak at last year’s rally.