Stimulus Money Saves More Than 30 Teaching Positions At Tulsa Public Schools

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – Federal stimulus money is helping save more than 30 teachers jobs at Tulsa Public Schools, the district said Tuesday.

State budget cuts forced the district to cut 225 teaching positions before the 2010-2011 school year started.

Federal funds helped bring back 188 of those teachers. But the district said 32 of the 188 recalled teachers were only given temporary contracts due to a new state law. Those temporary contracts will be replaced with standard teaching contracts, according to the district.

"We're really excited to be able to sign 32 teachers to continuing contracts. We hope that this will add to their holiday cheer," Ava Hicks, TPS Director of Teacher Talent, said.

TPS said it will honor the teachers at a special contract signing at Fulton Teaching and Learning Academy on Thursday, December 9, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.