Jenks Schools Gets $1.1 Million Donation To Reduce Class Size

Concerned parents gave Jenks schools an historic gift Tuesday. Eleven couples, along with anonymous donors, handed over more than $1 million to the district. 

It's the largest gift of its kind in school history. The parents have one goal in mind - to reduce class sizes in elementary classrooms.

Jenks School superintendent Dr. Kirby Lehman, and Jenks Public School Foundation Executive Director Marlo Duffy, were on hand for the announcement at Jenks West Elementary School.

"One teacher to 28 kids is a ratio that really is probably pretty challenging for both student and teacher, and so we thought that this is a possibility to help do something about that," concerned parent Danny Christner said.

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Jenks has the largest student to teacher ratio in the region. Superintendent Kirby Lehman says his district isn't getting enough money from the state.

According to school officials, in April the school board approved the hiring of new full and part-time employees to help with an increase in enrollments at the elementary level.

Parents, district residents and other citizens can donate to the foundation at www.jenksfoundation.org.