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- Some teachers in Oklahoma are being told to return tens of thousands in bonuses they got by mistake.
- At least nine of them received bonuses of up to $50,000 late last year, local media reported.
- Some say they face financial ruin because they’ve already spent the money on debt or house payments.
A bonus program for Oklahoma teachers erroneously gave educators large payouts and then told them to reimburse the state months later, even though some had already spent the money.
At least nine teachers received letters demanding they return bonuses of up to $50,000 each, nonprofit news organization Oklahoma Watch reported Thursday.
One of these teachers, Kay Bojorquez, told the outlet that she was informed by the state education department in November that she’d qualified for a $50,000 payout.
Bojorquez, who is funding her son’s college tuition, said she spent the money on repaying debts and small home improvements, per Oklahoma Watch.