Decision To Close North Tulsa School Still Up In The Air

Tulsa Public Schools is trying to decide to whether to close one school to open another.

The board approved a charter for Lighthouse Academy, an arts-focused college prep program. But it may mean closing north Tulsa's Greeley Elementary.

Parents met with district leaders Thursday to learn how they'll be affected. The message from TPS is clear: it's not a done deal, but Greeley Elementary is the likely and preferred site for this new charter school.

Last year, students and parents protested loudly enough to keep Greeley open when it nearly closed under Project Schoolhouse.

This time around, only a handful of families joined school administrators for a discussion about what's next.

Leaders from the lighthouse academy spoke about the goals for the school and its learning environment. TPS says parents of current Greeley students have three options.

Option one: apply to the Lighthouse Academy or enter a lottery in April for extra spots.

Option two: move your child to Gilcrease Elementary.

Option three: apply for a school transfer, although that's not guaranteed.

These options are not sitting well with parents of special needs students.

Greeley teachers would not be let go. They'd be given options to move as well, but maybe not with their students.

Again, no decision has been made to put Lighthouse Academy Charter School at Greeley, but it seems likely based on what we heard Thursday night.

01/17/2012 Related Story: Tulsa School Board Mulls Uniform Proposal, OK's Property Sale During Meeting