Several Oklahoma teachers are being asked to return up to $50,000 in bonuses received under a teacher recruitment program, with at least nine teachers facing repayment demands ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 due to misrepresentation of qualifications. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters defended the repayment requests, citing the program's rigorous audit process and contractual terms, but faced criticism from lawmakers. The controversy has caused distress for affected teachers, with one recipient expressing inability to repay the funds by the deadline.
Oklahoma teachers who received bonuses of up to $50,000 in error are being asked to repay the money, sparking criticism from lawmakers. The bonuses were part of a program to recruit teachers for hard-to-fill positions, but some were paid in error. Lawmakers are seeking to overhaul the program to prevent similar issues in the future. The state superintendent of public instruction suggested that some bonuses were paid due to teachers misrepresenting their experience and qualifications. This comes amid previous criticism of alleged misspending of public funds by the education department.
Oklahoma special education teachers are being asked to return bonuses of up to $50,000 that were mistakenly paid out by the state education department. The department is facing criticism from lawmakers for demanding repayment from teachers, some of whom used the money for essential expenses. The bonuses were part of a program to recruit teachers for hard-to-fill positions, and legislators are now looking to revamp the program to prevent similar errors in the future. The state superintendent of public instruction has suggested that some of the erroneous payments were due to teachers misrepresenting their qualifications, but lawmakers from both parties have criticized the department's oversight.
Oklahoma sent bonuses of up to $50,000 to elementary and special education teachers, only to ask for the money back due to errors in payment. The state's education agency is facing criticism from lawmakers, and there are calls for an overhaul of the program to prevent similar mishaps in the future. The department is seeking to recover the overpaid bonuses, with at least nine teachers asked to return amounts ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. State Superintendent Ryan Walters suggested that some bonuses were paid due to misrepresentation by teachers, but lawmakers from both parties have criticized the agency's oversight and handling of the situation.
Alaska House Republicans unveiled an education package including $190 million per year, falling short of educators' $350 million annual inflation adjustment request, with provisions for boosting internet speeds, teacher bonuses, home-schooled students, and increasing charter schools. The proposal was introduced in the House Rules Committee and faced opposition from minority members, with concerns raised about unequal treatment of teachers, potential violations of the state constitution, and centralized state control over charter school approvals.
Atlanta Public Schools initially included the state's $1,000 teacher bonus in their employees' holiday retention bonus, sparking criticism from Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods. After facing pushback, the district has stated that they will distribute the additional funds once clarification is provided on which categories of employees should be covered by the bonus. The school district is currently waiting for guidance from the governor's office or the Georgia Department of Education on the matter.
The state superintendent of Georgia's Department of Education, Richard Woods, expressed his confusion and disappointment in a letter to Atlanta Public Schools (APS) after learning that APS teachers and support staff would not be receiving the $1,000 retention bonus announced by Governor Brian Kemp. APS had already included a similar payment in their employees' December paychecks, leading to frustration and confusion among educators. Woods criticized APS for not aligning with the timing of past retention payments and questioned their decision to pre-emptively distribute the funds. APS responded by stating that they wanted to reward their employees before the holiday break and would pass along any additional funds once clarification is provided on which categories of employees should be covered by the bonus.
