School Districts Dealing with Latest Education Budget Cuts

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Governor Brad Henry and legislative leaders reached on a deal on a budget agreement and released the details Thursday, and schools across the state are now trying to figure out how to cope.

The cuts will virtually affect every state agency across the board. Education for K-12 and career technology will receive targeted cuts of 2.9 percent while higher education's budget will be cut by 3.3 percent.

Oklahoma State School Board Association Executive Director Dr. Jeff Mills said the budget cuts could've been worse.

"The budget will help, but not resolve it out," Mills said. "Districts will have a hard time going into FY 2011. They're going to have to do more to save and do what they can to protect classrooms, and as for brand new teachers, it's hard to do but they're going to have to let them go."

In anticipation of the state budget cuts, Enid Public Schools has taken certain measures by cutting 30 positions in the school district.

Superintendent Shawn Himes said the process has been difficult.

"The 2.9 percent cut announced in the agreement is really a 10 percent cut for us because of the 7 percent reduction we saw earlier this year," Himes said. "We're doing away with programs such as Driver's Ed in the classroom during the school year, Chinese at the high school level, woodworking.

Himes said the cuts could include school nurses, campus police officers and a truancy officer, but his number priority is protecting the classroom.

"Any cut or any reduction is going to increase class sizes," Himes said

First year social studies teacher at Emerson Elementary School Will James said he was relieved to find out he was able to keep his position.

"I have four kids, a wife, and I just moved here from Georgia with the family. To be in limbo about the budget cuts the last few weeks has been tough," James said. "I always had that impression that things would work out and fortunately they did but there was some intense moments."

Himes said he expects even more cuts this fall or soon after the November election. He also said with resignations and retirements, the district may be able to rehire most of their first year teachers.