Tulsa Public Schools To Ask For More Funding From State

The Tulsa School Board approved a resolution Monday night asking for more funding from the legislature.

TPS Superintendent Keith Ballard said he has received no indication from the legislature that funding will be increased beyond the amount received last year – even though state government income is up.

Read The Resolution

The resolution asks the legislature to restore school funding to the amounts from 2007-2008, before the state budget was cut. The TPS board has already approved a staffing plan to eliminate 75 teaching positions because of the budget.

03/16/2012 Related Story: Tulsa Public Schools Will Start Next Year With Fewer Teachers

Even though state funding is flat, TPS plans cuts to make up for federal stimulus money that kept teachers working for the last two years. The money runs out in June.

The TPS resolution says if the legislature added $50 million to education, Tulsa would receive $3.25 million, and would have enough to keep the 75 teachers it plans to cut.