Hofmeister comments on passage of SB 229

Joy Hofmeister

Potential impact on ending lawsuits

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 24, 2021) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister today made the following remarks after the overwhelming passage of Senate Bill 229, also known as the Redbud School Funding Act. The legislation now goes to Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has indicated he will sign it.

“This is a victory for thousands of Oklahoma schoolchildren being educated in public charter schools and more than 300 traditional school districts. The state is making available dedicated funding for our students and their schools with the passage of SB 229, which is a long-overdue measure to equalize building funds. This bill also marks a critical step toward ending lawsuits currently involving school districts, Oklahoma Public Charter Schools Association and the state Board of Education. The next action to that end comes with this evening’s special meeting of the State Board of Education, where board members will consider rescinding the March 25 vote to settle the 2017 charter school funding lawsuit.”