CONTINUING COVERAGE

Oklahoma's school funding crisis

Overview: Oklahoma school districts are struggling to cope with sharp cuts in state spending for education. Meanwhile, the governor and state legislators are working on plans to cut taxes.

Only two states have cut their per-pupil school budgets by a bigger proportion since the recession began than Oklahoma, according to a national report, but there's more to the story than that, state education leaders say.

Oklahoma's per-pupil spending went down $706 between fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2013, a 20.3 percent decline, according to the analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

But state education leaders questioned the report's statistics and its conclusions.

State Superintendent Janet Barresi said the report's headline statistic isn't the best way to compare the commitment of states to school programs. Read Senior Staff Writer Wayne Greene's story about this report.

HEADLINES

Education funding, reform discussed in statewide webcast   4/9/2013

“Focu$ on Education” featured an Oklahoma City-based panel discussion Tuesday evening.

Tulsa-area legislative candidates voice views on education at forum

Tulsa-area legislative candidates voice views on education at forum   10/10/2012

Nearly every one of the dozen Tulsa-area legislative candidates who spoke at an education forum Tuesday advocated increased funding for public schools.

Legislative candidates agree on need for more education funding

Legislative candidates agree on need for more education funding   10/9/2012

Nearly every one of the dozen Tulsa-area legislative candidates who spoke at an education forum Tuesday advocated increased funding for public schools.

State funding for education down $198 million since 2009, lawmakers are told

State funding for education down $198 million since 2009, lawmakers are told   10/4/2012

State appropriations to common education have been reduced by nearly $200 million since fiscal year 2009, lawmakers were told Wednesday.

Filling school funding gaps with donations termed not sustainable

Filling school funding gaps with donations termed not sustainable   9/14/2012

Consecutive years of reductions in state aid to public schools have led private donors to raise money this year to hire teachers and reduce class sizes for schools in Jenks and Tulsa.

Area superintendents say Rep. Nelson's comments are 'height of hypocrisy'

Area superintendents say Rep. Nelson's comments are 'height of hypocrisy'   8/30/2012

Some Tulsa-area public school superintendents are weighing in on a state lawmaker's assertion that districts are sitting on 'hefty carryover funds' they could otherwise use to plug budget shortfalls.

State cuts funding from reading, remediation programs   6/9/2012

Tulsa-area school officials are disappointed that funding in next year's state education budget has either been cut or eliminated for two key programs tied to legislative mandates.

Tulsa Street School funding restored

Tulsa Street School funding restored   6/6/2012

The state Board of Education on Tuesday restored funding to Tulsa's Street School and for certified teacher bonuses.

A third of Oklahoma schools' textbook money ($11.5 million) to be used for Education Department   5/25/2012

State Superintendent Janet Barresi will apparently use $11.5 million of the $33 million that school districts were expecting for textbooks to cover a shortage in the Education Department's budget.

House passes Oklahoma budget bill on second attempt, with one vote to spare

House passes Oklahoma budget bill on second attempt, with one vote to spare   5/25/2012

The bill now lacks only Gov. Mary Fallin's signature.

Barresi says flat education funding will result in $11.5 million shortfall

Barresi says flat education funding will result in $11.5 million shortfall   5/24/2012

State Superintendent Janet Barresi said Thursday that it appears education will see a shortfall of $11.5 million in the activities fund in next year due to an expected flat budget.

Oklahoma legislative leaders announce a standstill budget, with no new funding for public schools

Oklahoma legislative leaders announce a standstill budget, with no new funding for public schools   5/22/2012

Top state leaders announced a standstill state budget Monday with no new funding for public schools.

Tulsa school patrons, officials angered at state funding deal for schools

Tulsa school patrons, officials angered at state funding deal for schools   5/22/2012

Tulsa students, parents and school officials were outraged Monday evening by late-breaking news of flat state funding for education.

Lawmakers roll out stand-still budget

Lawmakers roll out stand-still budget   5/21/2012

Gov. Mary Fallin and legislative leaders called the deal a “responsible, fiscally conservative agreement” that includes targeted funding increases for core services.

Mayor, councilors press for additional education funding

Mayor, councilors press for additional education funding   5/21/2012

Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett and the City Council are joining the fight for restored state funding to public schools.

Schools' slices of lottery pie small, getting smaller

Schools' slices of lottery pie small, getting smaller   5/14/2012

Since its inception in 2005, the Oklahoma Education Lottery has generated about $1.2 billion in sales, or about $198.3 million per year on average.

Education funding cut from smaller pie

Education funding cut from smaller pie   5/13/2012

Oklahoma's Department of Education has the same problem as other state agencies, according to an analyst: The state budget is smaller than it used to be.

Educators fear consequences of more budget cuts

Educators fear consequences of more budget cuts   5/13/2012

Less than one year after finding a new school home, Brian Banfield is seeing his professional future go into limbo because of the budget cuts affecting public schools across Oklahoma.

No money for music: Budget cuts endangering Tulsa school's band program

No money for music: Budget cuts endangering Tulsa school's band program   5/12/2012

To its 29 members, Webster High School's band is about much more than music. But come fall, it may simply be no more.

Poll: Voters oppose lower tax rate if funding for schools, roads would be cut   5/10/2012

Large majorities of Oklahoma voters oppose state income tax cuts if it means less funding for schools, roads and public safety, a poll released Wednesday by the Oklahoma Advocacy Project shows.

Parents push for school funding

Parents push for school funding   5/10/2012

The Mad Mom March brought the push for more public school funding to the state Capitol on Wednesday.

State Education officials acknowledge delays in repaying districts   5/9/2012

Officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Education now acknowledge some delays in the reimbursement of federal funds to school districts across the state but said local administrators can be assured that they are getting caught up.

TPS may have to cut services to save teacher jobs

TPS may have to cut services to save teacher jobs   5/8/2012

Tulsa school board members said they are losing hope for an 'eleventh-hour' budget reprieve to prevent the loss of 75 teaching positions and may have to consider options such as cutting bus service for magnet school students to protect the classroom.

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