Teacher walkout plans remain in limbo after legislative actions

School Superintendent Shelley Arrott was less optimistic about Ponca City School District students returning to classes quickly Thursday afternoon.

A planned teacher walkout may now last past Monday as teachers become more uncertain that legislative action will provide the funding they are seeking for schools.

“I will not take any administrative action until the governor signs House Bill 1010XX and we know how the revenue holes will be filled,” Arrott said about 4 p.m.

“My best advice to everyone is to stay connected to your devices. We cannot fill (teacher positions) until we know what the mandates are. They are already repealing ways to fund the raise,” Arrott said. “If they do not fund it, and then expect us to fund it, we cannot do that. I’m not willing to do anything right now.”

A Town Hall Meeting about a teacher walkout is still set for 6 p.m. Thursday at West Middle School. It is being sponsored by the Oklahoma Education Association and members of that group, as well as the ACT and Arrott, will be on hand with the latest information and will answer questions.

Any decision on a  walkout will be determined by teachers, not school administration.

As of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Fallin had not signed House Bill 1010XX. Her office had announced a live press conference  would take place at 3 p.m., when she would sign the bill.

About 4:45 p.m., Fallin’s press secretary Michael McNutt spoke briefly to reporters saying there was a delay. Reporters waiting for the press conference  then moved around the  room, removing suit jackets and making telephone calls.