Guthrie teachers among thousands for rally at the Capitol

Teachers from Guthrie were among the 25,000 to rally at the state Capitol on Monday.

Nearly 25,000 teachers, parents and students from across the state gathered at the state Capitol on Monday to encourage legislators to invest in the current public education system. Among those in attendance were teachers from Guthrie.

Many of the thousands showed up wearing red shirts and several displayed signs and banners. The Oklahoma Education Coalition (OEC) organized the rally.

Oklahoma ranks 49th in teacher pay and money spent on students.

According to OEC, there are an estimated 40,000 more students in the state compared to 2008. However, an OEC spokesperson says public schools are operating with $200 million less and 1,500 fewer educators. Last year Gov. Mary Fallin signed a bill that included $120 million in new education money.