Tulsa School Not On Original List Will Now Close

Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- There is one school on Superintendent Ballard's closing list that had not appeared on any list before. It's Roosevelt Elementary.

Read all of Dr. Ballard's final proposal

Some thought Roosevelt was safe, so they didn't go to the forums to make a case to save it. The news was a shock to many of the parents who felt they didn't get a chance to defend their school.

Not a single parent we found had anything but good things to say about Roosevelt.

"The principals, the teacher, the staff, everyone is just awesome. It feels good that in the morning when I drop her off, she's safe. And you don't get that everywhere you go," said Roosevelt parent Nina.

The parents seem to universally feel that Roosevelt was and would be - the best school for their child.

"I like the teachers; they do a good job," said Carolina Gonzalez.

But Roosevelt was built in 1926 when the neighborhood was crowded with children. Now, the building is at half capacity with 300 children and more than half of those transferred in.

The school was on the No Child Left Behind list last year, and after looking at the utility costs of an old building, the principal had a different view of the day.

Roosevelt has Pre-K through 5th grade. 150 students on transfer will transfer elsewhere. The 150 students from the neighborhood will be assigned to surrounding schools that remain open.

"And I go here because of the teachers and if I can't get that staff, I don't want my daughter to go to that school," said Roosevelt parent Kirsten.

"And it's really sad because this is a really good school," said Desiree Remington, Parent.

Without exception, every parent told us they support Roosevelt and are disappointed they and their children will have to go elsewhere next year.

"We're all one big family, so how do I find another family?" asked one Roosevelt parent.

The parents of Roosevelt plan to make their case before the school board at a hearing next Tuesday at 6pm. They'd like to see the extra space in their school used for other students.

04/21/2011 Related Story: 14 Tulsa Public Schools To Close Under Superintendent's Final Proposal