TULSA -- The Tulsa Public Schools board voted Monday night to consolidate several schools on the west side in a cost-saving effort.
The consolidation plan passed by a 5 to 2 vote.
The decision is expected to save the district nearly $1 million.
As a result of the vote, the district will close Park Elementary along with Remington and ECDC Porter.
.@deborahgist just spoke with us about consolidation vote. Said district forced to b/c of anticipated flat funding from state legislature. pic.twitter.com/yjcf8OHlcN
— Tony Russell (@TonyRussellTV) May 16, 2017
The students at those schools will move to the Clinton Middle School campus, while the students at Clinton will be moved to Webster High School.
The district said this plan is going forward because of more state cuts to education.
"...so that’s why moving forward as we have is necessary because we know that even in the best case scenario we’re going to have to be looking for cuts because flat funding first of all isn’t flat under the definition we’ve received, even if it were truly flat our costs go up every year and so cuts still have to be made,” said Dr. Deborah Gist, Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent.
2 Works For You spoke with Tammie Ownens, the grandmother of a Remington 5th grader.
Owens said she is worried about middle schoolers being on the same campus as high schoolers.
"...let these kids be kids. Let them graduate from elementary school and then go to middle school,” said Owens.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
