Tulsa Public Schools To Furlough Employees

The board of education approved three furlough days for all non-classroom employees Monday night. Superintendent Keith Ballard also says as many as 100 administrative and maintenance workers could be let go next year.

Tuesday, December 8th 2009, 8:30 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Public Schools To Furlough Employees

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The economy in crisis means Tulsa Public Schools will furlough some employees and lay off as many as 100 more.

The board of education approved the three furlough days for all non-classroom employees Monday night. The move is expected to save the district $325,000.

Superintendent Keith Ballard also says as many as 100 administrative and maintenance workers could be let go next year. He says no teachers will be laid off, but admits this budget crisis is taking its toll.

"It's the worst thing I could have imagined. When you're trying to focus on school improvement and transformation, and those kinds of issues, and all of a sudden you have to deal with these budget issues," said Dr. Keith Ballard, TPS Superintendent.

TPS has already lost $2.5 million in funding this year and administrators expect to lose millions more.

While TPS desperately tries to balance the budget, it's considering asking voters for the biggest school bond in state history to improve facilities.