By Hear the Superintendent's News Conference Unedited/Unfiltered
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-860992.mp3
Tulsa, OK – A state revenue shortfall will have a dramatic impact on Oklahoma's largest school district, according to Dr. Keith Ballard, superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools.
State officials on Tuesday announced an approximate 30 percent reduction in August revenue collections that will lead to a five percent budget cut for state agencies.
"We already started the year with significant budget cuts," said Ballard. "Another five percent will almost be like squeezing water from a rock."
So far this fiscal year, the state has cut funding to Tulsa Public Schools by $720,000 and are forecasting a $500,000 drop each month is state allocations. That could eventually lead to teacher layoffs, but Ballard says the classroom will be the last thing cut.