Oklahoma City Public Schools slashing 208 teaching positions

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City Public Schools will slash its teaching workforce as the district faces what it describes as a "catastrophic budget crisis."

The state's largest district announced Wednesday in a statement that it will eliminate 208 teaching positions for the 2016-17 school year to save an estimated $8 million annually at a time when state revenues are falling short, leading to cuts in funding to education and other services.

School spokesman Mark Myers says the cuts will affect teachers on non-continuing contracts.

Officials anticipate class sizes will increase throughout the district, but stay within state-mandated classroom requirements.

Myers said the most recent information shows the district with 2,690 teachers and 45,648 students in the 2014-15 school year.

"OKCPS will adjust current employee school staffing levels to reflect the district staffing formula that was developed during the last state-wide budget crisis. This move will affect 208 classroom teaching positions and save the district roughly $8-million," the press release said.

"The adjustment will increase class sizes district-wide; but will NOT exceed state mandated classroom sizes. When determining staff formula reductions, OKCPS will also act in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement."

“OKCPS will be creative when it comes to staffing our classrooms, and make sure our students receive quality education during the 2016-2017 school year calendar”, said Rob Neu, OKCPS Superintendent.

The budget outlook continues to be abysmal and OKCPS Leadership is exploring an additional $22-million in adjustments throughout that will impact all areas of the District including Central Office.
 

The Associated Press' Daniel C. Houston contributed to this report.

The Gayly- 3/23/2016 @ 3:22 PM CST