By Rex Hogan/Staff Writer
published April 6, 2008

State Rep. Ryan McMullen, D-Burns Flat, said Friday he has moved a bill that could significantly help the El Reno School District. He made the comment at the El Reno Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coffee.

McMullen said HB 3125 has passed the House and is now before a Senate committee, and if adopted, could put up to $40 million into a state education fund that would then be distributed to school districts such as El Reno which have low per pupil expenditures based on property valuations.

McMullen said it was “not for public consumption” right now where the $40 million would come from, but it would be a “steady stream” of money.

McMullen said the appropriation would be made into the little-known Public School Common Education Equalization Fund.

He said he discovered the fund while researching ways to help the El Reno School District.

School officials have said that because there are numerous dependent school districts surrounding the El Reno School District and because there is a large amount of federal and Indian lands, which are exempt from paying state property taxes, the El Reno district is ranked among the bottom of districts in the state in terms of property valuation per student.