Sen. Pugh releases statement on SDE clawback of teacher bonuses

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Adam Pugh, R–Edmond, today released the following statement on reports of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (SDE) attempting to clawback up to $50,000 in teacher bonuses.

Reports have indicated that teachers are being asked to repay bonuses they received but were not eligible for.

Sen. Pugh said he is in the process of contacting the SDE to rectify the situation.

“In my opinion, if the State Department of Education made this mistake, they have to live with it. I have consistently fought for our teachers on the Senate floor and this instance is no different. Our teachers are hardworking individuals and if this money was promised to them, and given to them, the commitment needs to be upheld. This stands to move us backward in the trust and confidence my colleagues and I in the Senate and House have tried to build with educators throughout the state in the last several years.

“I am in the process of reaching out to SDE to find a logical solution to this issue, where the teachers who received the bonuses can keep the money they were given, while figuring out a better process, with better accounting practices moving forward.

“I am not laying blame on anyone. But if a mistake was made, it needs to be corrected the right way and not lay it on the backs of our teachers.”

Sen. Pugh also acknowledged there might need to be a legislative fix in the upcoming legislative session to correct this issue moving forward.

“If this is an issue that needs to be corrected through legislative action, I am happy to work with my Senate and House counterparts to make it happen.”

Sen. Pugh serves as the Senate Education chairman.

Sen. Pugh: (405) 521-5622 or Adam.Pugh@oksenate.gov