Later this month, the Tulsa School Board will decide whether or not to close four elementary schools – a decision that would displace 1,200 children. Superintendent Deborah Gist has recommended the closing of Wright Elementary, Grimes Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary and Jones Elementary.

Despite more funding from the state – and a host of other sources (federal, county, grants, etc.) – Tulsa Public Schools is anticipating a $20,000,000.00 shortfall for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

Parents of children at these schools oppose the closures. Gist said the move would save about $3 million a year. Wright Elementary is at 1110 E. 45th Place. Grimes Elementary is at 3213 E. 56th St. Mark Twain Elementary is at 541 W. 43rd W. Ave. Jones Elementary is at 1515 S. 71st E. Ave.

“…we have identified approximately $18-$20 million in potential budget reductions,” Gist reported on the TPS website.

The website lists:

• $13 million to $14 million savings in “district office services,” presumably at the Education Service Center.
• $2 million to $3 million in closures and consolidations

Mark Twain Elementary School would be consolidated into Wayman Tisdale Fine Arts Academy.

“We considered a number of factors as we developed these recommendations, including historical, current, and projected enrollment; current programmatic offerings; building utilization rates; building condition and design; needs of the surrounding community; and access to other district schools,” Gist wrote.

• $3 million in staff changes that would increase average class size in elementary schools by one student (24 students per each teacher)

School Board Vote

Some area school districts will hold board of education elections Feb. 11. Tulsa County Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman said  the deadline to register to vote for the February 11 vote is January 17. 

Registration application forms are at the Tulsa County Election Board office at 555 N. Denver Ave. and at most post offices, tag agencies and public libraries. They are also available to www.elections.ok.gov.

Tulsa Public Schools

Office No. 5

• Ben Croff, Republican
• John Croisant, Democrat
• Scott Pendleton, Republican
• Kelsey Royce, Democrat
• Shane Saunders, Republican

Office No. 6

• Ruth Ann Fate, Democrat
• Jerry Griffin, Republican
• Stephen Remington, Republican
• Berryhill Public Schools

Office No. 5

• Allisha Craig, Democrat
• Patty Lawson, Republican

Bixby Public Schools

Office No. 5

• Tristy Fryer, Republican
• Todd Hagopian, Libertarian
• Jason Prideaux, Republican

Collinsville Public Schools

Office No. 5

• Jeromy Burwell, Republican
• Memory Ostrander, Democrat

Owasso Public Schools

Office No. 5

• John H. Haning, Republican
• Beth Medford, Democrat
• Frosty Turpen, Democrat

Union Public Schools

Office No. 5

• Ken Kinnear, Republican
• Brandon Swearengin, Libertarian