Oklahoma teachers asked to return up to $50,000 in bonuses due to state's error

The Oklahoma State Department of Education has sparked controversy by requesting teachers to return bonuses of up to $50,000 that were mistakenly paid out. The bonuses were awarded as part of a program to attract teachers for hard-to-fill positions, including special education and early elementary education. The department is facing criticism from lawmakers as teachers, already struggling with low average salaries of $54,800, are now being asked to repay bonuses that were erroneously given.

Repayment demands cause distress

Teachers like Kristina Stadelman, who received a $50,000 bonus, are now facing the distressing task of repaying the money after being told they were not entitled to it. Stadelman, a special education teacher, used the bonus for home improvements and to purchase a car for her growing family. The Oklahoma State Department of Education has demanded the return of the bonuses, with Stadelman expressing her inability to repay the amount by the end of February.

Program Flaws and Legislative Response

The erroneous payments have prompted Oklahoma legislators to consider a revamp of the program to prevent lump sum payments and to implement a more rigorous screening process for bonus recipients. Lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties have voiced criticism of the education agency's handling of the situation, emphasizing the adverse impact on teachers.

Questions and Criticism

The education agency has been called into question by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for the flawed implementation of the bonus program. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters suggested that some teachers misrepresented their qualifications and experience, leading to the erroneous bonuses. He blamed the media for the fallout and defended the program, mentioning that over 500 teachers were recruited through it.

Repercussions and Previous Controversies

This is not the first instance of controversy involving Ryan Walters and the department. Walters has previously come under fire for alleged misspending of public funds, including a state audit that found over $1.7 million from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief fund was spent on non-educational items. Additionally, Walters faced criticism after news emerged that he had expensed over $4,000 on out-of-state travel and entertainment, despite a ban on such expenditures.