OKCPS Announces Staffing Adjustment Due To Budget Crisis

The Oklahoma City Public Schools District (OKCPS) announced staffing adjustments for next school year, due to statewide revenue failure.

Officials with the OKCPS said they are facing a catastrophic budget crisis due to a statewide revenue shortfall. As a result, OKCPS leadership has been exploring strategic reductions to the District’s budget.

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

The adjustment will increase class sizes district-wide, but officials said it 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”, Superintendent Rob Neu said.

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, school officials said.