Tulsa School Districts Want Sales Tax Money To Fund Teacher Training

Three Tulsa school districts will share $10 million dollars in Vision sales tax money.

The question now, is what to do with it.

Taxpayers approved a vague plan to attract and retain teachers.

The Jenks, Tulsa and Union districts want to use it on training for brand new teachers.

Back in the summer, Tulsa Public Schools was desperately hiring to fill classrooms.

It's a neverending job, with 20 percent turnover every year, and the newest teachers the most likely to leave.

That's what led to Union, Jenks, and TPS, the Tulsa City Council and mayor's office, mapping out a plan for Vision money.

The districts agree it should go for new teacher training and stipends for teachers who stay in schools with the most turnover.

"So what we are landing on is an investment in that new teacher induction, along with an investment in educators of all levels of experience at some of our high-need schools," said TPS Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist. 

The three districts will split $10 million, but when they'll get it is up in the air.

The decision to put it into training comes from research that shows better-trained teachers stay on the job longer.

"We all know compensation is important and it's one of the challenges we're dealing with in Oklahoma, but at the same time as a state we've got to bring back the respect and the value we have in our teachers," Union Public Schools Superintendent Kirk Hartzler said. 

The districts figure they'll save more than the cost of the program by reducing hiring expenses.

The council seemed confident it will be city taxpayer money well spent to help the schools.

"The things that we as the city of Tulsa set as priorities, job growth, public safety and sales tax revenue, those are tied directly to healthy schools," said City Councilor Anna America.

Tulsa spends more than $3 million each year recruiting and hiring.

They said they believe this new effort in training could eliminate some of that.