TPS families confront district leaders: ‘What can we do’ to save schools?

Hoover Elementary parent Tawana Cantrell asked the question on the minds of many Tulsa Public Schools families and staff Tuesday night.

“What are we looking at?”

The district is considering closing or consolidating 17 sites and reimagining several others on a rapid decision-making timeline as it attempts to balance a multimillion-dollar shortfall and several decades of shrinking enrollment. At a standing room-only community session, the first since announcing the proposed closures, more than 150 community members demanded more information on why — and how — district leaders came to their recommendation. 

The district’s board has the final say and is set to vote on a final proposal Oct. 19. Any approved changes would go into effect in the 2027-28 school year. 

“We cannot continue to spread our resources thinner and thinner across more buildings while knowing that students may not consistently receive the teachers, programs and supports they deserve,” said Superintendent Ebony Johnson, addressing the eastside crowd at Martin Regional Library. “That is why this work is bigger than school closures.”

Johnson stressed her decisions were made with school enrollment and site capacity as primary factors. TPS is not in crisis, she said, but could be if it continues current spending across 78 campuses — pointing to the possibility of a state takeover. 

“Based on our current enrollment, the cost of operating and maintaining that number of sites exceeds the revenue generated by the students we serve,” Johnson said. “If we do not address that over time, we put the financial health of the district in jeopardy.”

Administrators spent the first 30 minutes of the scheduled hour outlining the proposed reductions to the crowd — initially seeking comment through paper cards distributed among the audience. With persistent raised hands and voices, attendees pushed the meeting into a live Q&A, with overtime.

‘What can we do?’

For much of the crowd, largely from elementary schools on the closures list like Dolores Huerta, Anderson and Hoover, the growth and learning environments at schools affected are worth considering too. 

“But Hoover and Dolores Huerta, and so many of these other schools, instead of closing, what can we do to make them more attractive to bring more students in?” asked Hoover supporter Cathy Koloff.

Jose and Bernice Luevano were middle school students during TPS’ 2011 “Project Schoolhouse” slate of closures. After moving schools, he said his grades fell and his attendance suffered. Getting to school changed for her, from parent dropoff to buses and rides from other families. 

Years later, their 7-year-old student, Fabian, may go through similar changes after experiencing personal growth at Dolores Huerta. Fabian started at the school with speech delays. They say he is now reading a grade level ahead this year, thanks to his teachers. 

“All those points that you mentioned are important to you guys, are things that we’re seeing at my son’s school,” Jose Luevano told district representatives. “And my son is not the only one that relies on the learning, and I have seen it firsthand from everyone.”

The crowd raised concerns about the implementation plans for transportation challenges, staff placement, special education and neighborhood impact. The district said specifics are still in the works. 

“We just want to be transparent about what we do know and what we don’t know,” said Sean Berkstresser, chief strategy officer at TPS. “And want people to know that our planning starts as soon as this is actually approved to make sure that we execute it with quality and support our families and staff.”

Maintaining the current level of transportation services for families is a key priority for the district, Berkstresser said. Families would receive communication about busing and other changes after the district’s enrollment period in early 2027, if the proposal is approved. 

Questions remain for TPS staff and families

The district expects $8.5 million in savings related to staffing as part of the proposal, primarily through attrition or resignations. Any further eliminations — though not expected by the district — would have to follow the negotiated agreements with the organizations representing teachers and support staff. 

“Our goal is that we will not hire any new, we will just ensure that every teacher that’s currently in our district, certified educator, will be in a teaching position,” Johnson said, noting talent management would aim to work with every affected educator by December.  

Further information for special education families is also in the works, Johnson added, and may be relayed at the Oct. 5 board meeting. 

When asked by Cantrell and others if there’s anything to be done to change the list of schools up for closure, Johnson encouraged families to continue attending public sessions, board meetings and fill out the district’s community survey, which is open until Oct. 16.

“What I am here to do is listen,” Johnson said. “We are committed to hearing your concern and equipping all of our students and staff and families with the resources necessary to make any transitions.”