TULSA - Tulsa Public Schools is looking for the community’s help as they try to cut 20 million dollars from its budget next year.
Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist has said a drop in enrollment plus state funding as reasons for the drop in budget.
From 2008 to 2018, Oklahoma has cut more per student than any other state and with lower enrollment it means fewer dollars for the district.
Since the 2015 -2016 school year, TPS cut nearly 22 million through cost saving measures, vacancy savings and under spending.
It hasn’t been enough, however, with the district filling in the gap for this school year by using the fund balance.
Alyssa Doty has two children involved in the arts in the district and is worried it will be the first to go.
“My daughter loves art. That’s something that she gets super excited about," Doty said. "My son just started taking music classes at Edison. He’s never been interested before, but the fact that he got the chance to do that has really encouraged him in that area.”
TPS is encouraging the community to help them develop and implement strategic investments and resource allocations to get them back on track and to thrive within those means given by the state.
The first meeting is Tuesday night from 5:30 to 8 at Webster High School.
A list of the 11 remaining meetings are listed below:
- Wednesday, September 18 at Hale High School, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Thursday, September 19 at Booker T. Washington, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Saturday, September 21 at St. Francis Xavier Church, 9:30 a.m. - noon
- Thursday, September 26 at McLain High School, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Saturday, September 28 location pending, 9:30 a.m. - noon
- - Saturday, September 28 at Rogers High School, 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- Thursday, October 3 at East Central High School, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 8 at Central High School, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- -Wednesday, October 9 at Edison High School, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- Thursday, October 10 at Memorial High School, 5:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
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