By Jaiya Brown, FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa Public Schools is proposing either the closure or consolidation of 17 schools as the district works to cut at least $12 million from its operating budget, a plan that is already raising concerns among teachers and families who believe the move could significantly affect students.
TPS said it needs to reduce costs as it addresses declining enrollment and school buildings operating below capacity.
The district is currently proposing to close or consolidate 17 schools, which includes 14 elementary schools, two middle schools and one alternative site.
TPS said money that could otherwise support classrooms is being spent operating schools with few students and explained they believe consolidating these schools will help redirect resources to students and services.
Teachers and parents, however, said the proposal could come with major trade-offs for students, especially those who benefit from smaller learning environments.
“I am concerned for that,” explained Kennedy Cabori, a TPS teacher and teachers’ union member. “I understand their thought process of buildings not being full and being able to get partial money for them. However, everybody’s scores were trending in an upward way, especially some of those smaller schools and those kids who need individual attention. It’s harder to give individual attention and be able to scaffold your lesson planning to your students when you have that many students.”
Cabori, who has been teaching for four years with TPS and for over 15 years in total, said the conversation around closures isn’t just about budget numbers, but also about the people who will live with the consequences.
For parents, concerns include how students with specialized needs would be supported if they are moved to larger schools.
Alessa Blancas, whose son attends Tulsa MET and uses an IEP, said he has made significant progress in a smaller classroom setting and she worries that could change if he is reassigned.
“Being in the smaller classroom settings and being able to have the IEP, teachers have the opportunity to be aside with him one-on-one and help him,” Blancas said. “He has grown so much, to the point where this year they actually just a couple weeks ago had a meeting with IEP where they are comfortable enough to see how he does off of IEP, but my biggest fear is because of the schools closings…What is that going to look like for him if they close Tulsa MET and he’s thrown into a school that’s overcrowded now? What is IEP going to look like? Is he going to succeed being off of it now?”
Blancas also said she’s worried about bullying, behavioral challenges and losing the teacher connections her son has built.
Haley Morris, whose daughter attends Robertson Elementary and who currently serves as the Robertson PTA president, said she believes the closures point to other factors and worries about the impact on west Tulsa.
“I am very heartbroken that someone’s greed and mismanagement of money has put TPS in this position…Especially out here in west Tulsa, there’s only three schools over here for this entire side of Tulsa,” Morris explained. “Why are we considering closing down one of the only schools over here? I don’t think that is smart. I do not think that is in the best interest of these children and for all of the amazing faculty that show up every day over here for these kids.”
TPS said the proposal would affect more than 4,700 students from more than 4,000 families.
The district said it plans to use existing staff to fill vacancies created by the reorganization, while students would be assigned to other schools.
Families, however, are still seeking more details about what the transition would look like.
The school board is expected to vote Oct. 19.
If approved, the changes would begin in the 2027-2028 school year.
TPS said it will continue gathering community feedback before the vote through community information sessions, which the district is describing as specifically information sessions and not public forums.
The district said the sessions are intended to gather information about priorities and resources necessary to make any changes possible.
Scheduled sessions include:
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Martin Regional Library (2601 S. Garnett Rd.)
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Bronson Brookside Library (4607 S. Madison Pl.)
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m., virtual session presented in Spanish
Thursday, Oct. 8, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Parent Resource Center (525 E. 46th St. N.)
Monday, Oct. 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Central Library – Downtown (400 Civic Center)
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Zarrow Regional Library (2224 W. 51st St.)
