Budget Cuts May Force Changes In Edmond School District

Edmond Public Schools may be forced to cut $4-million from its budget next year. If that happens, the district says it will have no choice but to increase class sizes and reduce programs and staff.

Edmond Superintendent David Goin calls it a funding crisis and says it's the worst he's seen in his 30 years in education. According to Goin, Edmond Public Schools is dealing with a funding cliff that will impact the next school year.

"We truly, honestly believe that we are at a crisis point," said Goin.

Goin says decisions must be made now on what could happen if millions are taken from the district's budget. Right now, the district is struggling to keep up with the demands of growth.

"We've just been barely able to make ends meet, and now we are at the point that something has to give," said Goin.

Since 2008, funding for public schools across the state had been cut 23-percent, or about $200-million. Edmond schools now serves 2,700 more students than it did at that time.

"We cannot keep up with the mandates we've been given with our growing class sizes and growing demands of all our teachers, and it's just hurting our children," said Edmond North High School parent, Ann-Clore Duncan.

Duncan heads Edmond North's parent group. Her son is a junior and she's urging parents across the district to participate in a "Rally for Education" at the state capitol.

"We are setting them up for a situation that isn't the best that Oklahoma can do," said Duncan. "We're there to show the legislators how much we really do care for our children and their future in education."

A $4-million cut to the district's budget will ultimately depend on the timing and the action of the legislature.

"And I don't want it to be services for our boys and girls," said Goin.

The "Rally for Education" is Mon. March 31 at the state capitol. It kicks off at 10:30 a.m.

Learn more about the Rally for Education.