By Tim Willert, Staff WriterThe state Board of Education on Thursday approved a $2.78 billion education budget proposal for the coming fiscal year that includes minimum $2,500 pay raises for all certified personnel, including approximately 50,500 teachers. The board voted 4-0 to approve the proposed budget, which is $297 million more than what was received by the state Education Department for fiscal year 2015. “Increasing teacher pay is a key factor in recruiting and retaining the best teachers for our students,” said state schools Superintendent Janet Barresi, who requested the pay raises.Read more on NewsOK.com