Bartlesville restaurant to help out Bartlesville schools

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) _ A Burger King restaurant has come up with what it hopes is a Whopper of an idea to help the cash-strapped Bartlesville schools. <br><br>During February, 50 cents of the purchase

Tuesday, February 4th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) _ A Burger King restaurant has come up with what it hopes is a Whopper of an idea to help the cash-strapped Bartlesville schools.

During February, 50 cents of the purchase price of a Whopper hamburger bought in the city of 34,000 will be donated to Bartlesville Public Schools.

``I am delighted that our local Burger King restaurant has found a way to provide some support for the budget crisis the school is currently facing,'' said Max Felton, Burger King franchisee. ``I also hope that our efforts will challenge other prospective partners to creatively develop promotions that can also benefit the school.''

The contribution program comes as the school district, like most in Oklahoma, is trimming travel costs, field trips and sports schedules and considering possible staff cuts for next year.

The Bartlesville district's net loss of state aid allocation for fiscal year 2003 is more than $1.2 million. With lower state revenues expected for a couple of years, administrators warned teachers in January that positions might have to be cut next.