OKCPS Administrators Recommend Closing Two Schools To Save Money

The Oklahoma City School district associate superintendent is recommending closing schools as a way to save money. The district estimates they will have to cut $30 million dollars from next year's budget.

The Pre-K and Kindergarten students at Greyson Lower Elementary would be going to Greyson Upper Elementary. That is one of two sets of schools that would be consolidated under the cuts.

Jose Nunez was hoping to enroll his daughter at Greyson Lower. His son already goes here.

“He really likes it,” said Nunez.

But Monday he learned that wouldn't happen.

“We are already used to this school,” said Nunez, “And [now we have to] to get used to another school.”

The consolidations are part of $7 million in budget cuts Associate Superintendent Aurora Lora announced at Monday night's school board meeting. 

Kaiser East, which has 5th and 6th graders, would also close and those kids will go to Kaiser Elementary about six minutes away.

“This will be a positive move for the students because they will now have access to a library and gym on the Kaiser Elementary campus,” said Lora.

Lora says the district picked the schools that would be close by: student population, then square footage of schools versus space being utilized and the proximity of other schools that could be combined. Lora says closing the schools makes economic sense and will be better for the students. As for the folks who work here, Lora says the district will work to protect their jobs.

“We will do our best to move everyone to an open position, give them whatever choices we have available at this time so that the jobs will be saved.”

The school board still has to vote on all the proposed cuts. They are also considering cutting two days from this school year and will hold a special meeting to consider that Wednesday morning.