“It concerns me that it is possible we could, according to this piece of legislation, pay full-time teachers less than what is required to be paid,” Dossett said.

Jolley said that decision would be up to the local district, teachers and the State Board of Education. The bill is not designed to get around the minimum teacher salary schedule, Jolley said, but to allow for more options.

Jolley said administrators are concerned that red tape and regulations are getting in the way of educating students. The bill attempts to address those concerns, he said.

Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest said she was disappointed that the measure passed in the Senate.

“Passage of this bill will hurt students because it fails to hold all schools to the highest standards,” Priest said in a statement. “Instead, it allows for shortcuts that weaken our education system all because our state refuses to properly fund our schools.”

Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, a former teacher, questioned the type of adjunct teachers such a proposal would attract and questioned whether they would be effective in the classroom.