OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Education Association is launching a petition to boost per-student funding of public education in the state.

The group hopes its efforts will convince lawmakers to raise the current funding from $6,900 per student to the regional average of $8,300. The state currently ranks 48th in the nation for the amount spent on students.

Many teachers preparing for fall classes are spending money out of their own pockets because there isn’t much in their school budget.

“I’ve already spent a couple hundred dollars on things I need or want for my room,” said teacher Amy Bowen. “I’d like to buy more supplemental materials so I’m not just using textbooks and materials that come with it.”

The OEA held a rally Thursday to kick off a petition drive urging the budget increase. Teachers and administrators pointed out problems with the funding process.

“This year, we’ll spend $400,000 on gas for buses. The scary thing is our operating dollars are the same as they were eight years ago,” said Mid-Del Superintendent Bill Scoggan.

He said he knew of a high school yearbook class producing a 250-page yearbook with limited access to the Internet ,10-year-old computers and a Kodak Easyshare camera.

The OEA hopes to collect 200,000 signatures and plans to set up a Web site next week to help its efforts.

Supporters of the petition drive hope that with enough support, more money will become available so teachers can make a brighter future for their students.

Many lawmakers said the $850 million request is too much money and if the petition leads to a successful vote, it could mean a tax increase or budget cuts in other areas.