Tulsa Public Schools: $1.1 Million In Bonds Committed To Sites That Could Close

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – More than one million dollars of Tulsa Public Schools' $354 million bond issue have been spent or are committed to schools that could be closed under the district's consolidation plans, district officials said Thursday.

The district released three proposals earlier this week as part of Project Schoolhouse.

According to a news release from Tulsa Public Schools, $333,850 in projects have been completed, including installing a new roof at Chouteau Elementary.

Three other projects are in the process of being completed. Those include

• Burroughs Elementary School: new exterior doors ($78,000)
• Cleveland Middle School: new exterior doors ($104,180)
• Madison Middle School: window replacement ($587,000)

The district said all of these projects are under contract and must be completed.

According to the district, the completed project at Chouteau, along with the three projects in process, bring the total amount of bond money spent or committed to schools that could close to $1.1 million.

When it comes to bond money that has been approved, but not spent or contracted at specific schools, Ballard said, "We always have the option to redirect bond monies that have not been spent or committed to other projects where there is a need, so there is some flexibility."

"I pledge that we will be good stewards of our bond dollars so they can be applied in a way that makes the best sense for Tulsa Public Schools and our students," Ballard added.

The $354 million bond, passed in 2010, is the biggest school bond in state history.

The board is scheduled to vote on the final proposal on May 2, 2011.

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3/30/2011 Tulsa Elementary Teachers Hope To Keep School Open
3/29/2011 TPS Parent: Community Will Fail If School Closes
3/29/2011 Some Say Eliminating Tulsa Middle Schools Would Benefit Students
3/29/2011 TPS Superintendent: District Spread Too Thin To Be Effective
3/29/2011 Tulsa Public Schools Could Close Up To 17 Schools