Tulsa Public Schools Looking At Furloughs And Bond Issue

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Some Tulsa Public School employees could be forced to take up to three days without pay. Lagging state revenues are eating into school budgets.

TPS is now short about $5 million and has to make some tough choices.

The goal is to cut costs without hurting kids that means some employees will have to stay home without pay.

The school district is considering up to three furlough days for 12-month employees. They will be spread out over several pay checks and staggered based on salary, with higher-paid employees taking up to three days, and lower wage workers taking only one.

The furloughs would be scheduled on holidays such as President's Day, Memorial Day and the Friday of spring break.

"What we're doing is trying to rearrange our calendar a little bit so we can have furlough days on days when students are not in class. So it doesn't disrupt the school year," said Trish Williams, TPS CFO.

The move could save the district up to $325,000. It is not final yet, it still needs board approval. This is also not the end of the furlough discussion. Dr. Keith Ballard says it is almost certain that they would need to look at more furloughs.

He says he has not ruled out furloughs for teachers.

TPS is also considering a massive bond issue on the March 2nd ballot.

At more than $350 million, it would surpass Broken Arrow's upcoming bond, which was dubbed the largest in state history.

TPS says it would not raise taxes but it would provide money for security, athletics and technology.

If it gets board approval, it will be the first TPS bond in five years.