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Oklahoma Schools Face More Budget Cuts
11/12/09 10:06 pm   |   reporter: Jerry Giordano   producer: Natalie Andes
NewsChannel 8 - Oklahoma Schools Face More Budget Cuts
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Tulsa, OK - Tough economic times are taking another bite out of Oklahoma's school funding.  

Another drop in state revenue is making it even more difficult to educate our kids.  Funding will drop by 2% this month alone.   That's on top of the 5% already mandated by the state.  It may force smaller schools to consolidate.

But what about Tulsa?  How is the state's largest school district handling the squeeze?

NewsChannel 8 set out to get those answers.

At Central High School Friday night, they're putting on a show and showing off what this school is all about.

"Tonight we're having an open house to 8th graders to see the programs that this fine arts magnet school has to offer," explains Jamie Lomax, Theater and Dance Coordinator.

But these days schools across Oklahoma are having to do more with less and they've already taken a big hit when it comes to money from the state.  Now comes word that there will be another reduction in state funding and it's more than anyone had expected.  Schools will see more than a 7% drop in state money this month alone.

Denzel Kesterson is President of Tulsa Teachers Classroom Association and fears it's not over yet for teachers.

"It gets harder and harder.  We are worried about test scores worry, about everything kid eating getting home safely," he says.

But the problem is no one will know which districts will get hit hardest until tomorrow morning.   In the meantime, there is nothing to do but wait. 

Meanwhile, back at Central High School, the music continues but in the wake of shrinking budgets the question is, for how long?

"We're lucky we have a federal grant for 3 years of continuing funding by the federal government," says Lomax.

Friday, schools will find out how much they have to cut from their budgets.

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Latest Comments on "Oklahoma Schools Face More Budget Cuts"
posted by: SUSANROSE on 6:00 pm on 11/13/09
WHERE IS ALL THAT MONEY FROM THE CASINOS THAT THE SCHOOLS WERE  PROMISED.  THAT'S HOW THEY GOT IT PASSED, BY TELLING THE SCHOOLS THEY WERE GOING TO GET A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE. SO WHERE'S THE MONEY????????????

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