The following message was shared by the Superintendent on September 21:

Dear TPS families and staff,

As a proud Tulsa Public Schools alum and a career educator, I have spent the past three years as Superintendent seeing firsthand what is possible in our classrooms when students and teachers have the resources they need to thrive. I’m proud to report that for three consecutive years, our students have raised their reading and math results across all grades, attendance has increased each of the last three years, and the number of students graduating ready for college and career has also increased.

Even with this progress, many of our buildings operate well below capacity, meaning dollars that could support classrooms must instead be used for the full operation of schools that have far fewer students than they were built to serve. Our students need reading specialists, full-time art, music, and PE teachers, and teacher pay that honors their work. Our current structure does not allow for that. Today, we have a chance to change that.

This summer, the TPS Board of Education passed a resolution directing me to find at least $12 million in savings, while expanding every student's access to opportunity. In response to that resolution, I presented a proposal about planning for the future of our district to our Board of Education this evening. This proposal represents more than a year of listening, learning, analysis, data review, and community engagement. While we have been working on developing this plan for many months, tonight is the first time the full proposal has been presented. I want you to hear about the details from me.

These are very difficult decisions, and not something any of us take lightly. Many unfavorable options were on the table as we considered places where we could find savings. Our number one job as a district is to provide students with the resources and supports necessary to achieve success and create the futures they envision for themselves. I believe that tonight’s recommendation presents the right path forward for students. As such, I will be recommending the consolidation or closure of 17 school sites: 14 elementary schools, two middle schools and one alternative program beginning with the 2027-28 school year. These sites include:

Anderson Elementary
Bell Elementary
Greenwood Leadership Academy
Key Elementary
Unity Learning Academy
Marshall Elementary
Springdale Elementary
Dolores Huerta Elementary
Sequoyah Elementary
Hoover Elementary
Mitchell Elementary
Peary Elementary
Kerr Elementary
Robertson Elementary
Central Middle School
Thoreau Demonstration Academy
Tulsa MET Middle and High School

This proposal is intended to create a stronger, more financially sustainable school district – one that puts more of our people and resources where they will serve the greatest number of students. The recommendations are also reflective of what we’ve heard our community values most through the more than 50 community engagement sessions and more than 1,000 survey responses. They include expanding access to programs families want most, directing staff and resources where they reach the most students, and building revenue beyond enrollment alone. The goal is to have classrooms that offer students more, not less. The Board will likely vote on this plan on October 19. Any changes that the board ultimately votes to make will not take place until next school year. 

Between September 29 and October 14, we will hold additional meetings, including five Community Information Sessions to answer questions and share more about what the proposed changes mean for each school community. You can find detailed information at tulsaschools.org/planning, along with our schedule of meetings and some frequently asked questions. I also encourage you to submit your input about what matters most to you in your student’s educational journey through our survey linked here. Everyone is invited to complete the survey one time, and it will close on October 16.

I appreciate your partnership as we work together to create a bright and sustainable future for the entire Tulsa Public Schools community.

Best,
Dr. Ebony Johnson
Superintendent
Tulsa Public Schools