Tulsa Public Schools looking for volunteers

In an era of tight budgets and cutbacks, the Tulsa Public Schools is hoping the community will help fill in the gaps. <br><br>Volunteers may be more important this year than ever before. 12,000 people

Thursday, August 1st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

In an era of tight budgets and cutbacks, the Tulsa Public Schools is hoping the community will help fill in the gaps.

Volunteers may be more important this year than ever before. 12,000 people volunteered with Tulsa Public Schools last year. With the budget ax falling especially hard this year, Superintendent David Sawyer is making an appeal for even more volunteers to lend a hand.

Dr Sawyer met Thursday with the Tulsa Corporate Volunteer Council to drum up support. He says he appreciates all those who gave their time last year and encouraged them to volunteer again this year. TPS volunteers serve in a variety of areas from homeroom mothers to mentors.

Dr Sawyer says from helping kids learn to read to practicing their multiplication tables, volunteers are critical to student achievement. "Well they have always been very important. And we're appreciative but I suspect in the coming year and perhaps the next few years volunteerism will be crucial for making the difference as we continue to struggle with our financial circumstances.â€ Budget problems eliminated the position of volunteer coordinator at TPS.

Tulsa Public Schools asks a lot of its volunteers. The district performs criminal background checks on volunteers depending on their level of contact with students. Mentors and other volunteers with close contact with children also go through training.

If you're interested in becoming a TPS volunteer call 746-6330.