More budget cuts for Tulsa Public Schools

Wednesday, July 24th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Public Schools budget battle continues. School officials had a plan to cover a $6.5-million shortfall in state money. Now a portion of that savings plan has fallen through and the district is scrambling to find $800,000.

News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson says Tulsa Public Schools is facing more cuts to balance their budget. Several administrators slated to go back to the classroom won't. That's because some of their salaries are paid with grant money, which is earmarked for specific uses. In order to make up the $800,000 in savings, the school district is cutting some elementary school principals and teacher assistant principals.

School officials say the latest round of cuts are to protect the classroom. John Hamill, TPS spokesperson: "There will be a sense of belt-tightening at the school level but so far as the classroom level goes that impact should not be felt."

Officials stress this is very much an on-going process. And they've not yet announced where the cuts in assistant principals and teaching assistants will come just yet.