Tulsa Schools late start and late finish saving the district money

While several Tulsa area school districts are already enjoying summer vacation, Tulsa Public Schools is still in session. <br/><br/>TPS started the school year after Labor Day to save money on the district's

Tuesday, May 25th 2004, 10:22 am

By: News On 6

While several Tulsa area school districts are already enjoying summer vacation, Tulsa Public Schools is still in session.

TPS started the school year after Labor Day to save money on the district's utility bills. But a warm May could melt away thousands of dollars worth of savings for Tulsa Public Schools. News on 6 anchor Terry Hood has why the district's keeping a close eye on the thermometer.

Tulsa Public Schools estimated it saved $200,000, starting school in September instead of mid-August. But those savings depend on Tulsa's fall being hotter than Tulsa's spring. We checked with the National Weather Service and usually that's the case. It's usually around 80 degrees in the last two weeks of August. The average temperature at the end of May is usually in the 70s. But this May has been pretty warm and promises to keep temperatures in the 80's for the next couple of days. That means TPS air conditioners are running more often and the costs could add up.

But Tulsa school leaders say even this warm May doesn't compare to temperatures that can reach triple digits in August. Dr David Sawyer, TPS Superintendent: "Itâ€™s warmed up this week but after we compare to the ending weeks of August I think we're still in pretty good shape."

Students and parents supported the late start earlier this year.