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Nearly 86% of Oklahoma school districts will see their state funding cut this month as state dollars shift to rapidly growing virtual charter schools.
Oklahoma's education funds are distributed per student. With virtual charter schools enrollment skyrocketing during the COVID-19 pandemic, those districts are getting a larger piece of the funding pie while other districts are seeing their slice shrink.
The latest reductions are worrisome for schools already weathering a difficult financial year, and they make federal aid even more critical, said Shawn Hime, executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association.
Oklahoma school finances have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. But the new coronavirus relief package will be a much needed buoy for the state’s districts.
While the CARES Act was important for keeping schools afloat earlier in the pandemic, the new stimulus bill passed by Congress quadruples the amount Oklahoma school districts will receive from the federal government this time around.
About $650 million will flow into Oklahoma schools, according to an estimate by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. That represents nearly one quarter of the state’s roughly $3 billion budget for K-12 education for last year, a number that could be cut because of state budget challenges.
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While the CARES Act was important for keeping schools afloat earlier in the pandemic, the new stimulus bill passed by Congress quadruples the amount Oklahoma school districts will receive from the federal government this time around.
About $650 million will flow into Oklahoma schools, according to an estimate by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. That represents nearly one quarter of the state’s roughly $3 billion budget for K-12 education for last year, a number that could be cut because of state budget challenges.
The money can pay for a wide range of expenses like basic operations, mental health support and helping with learning loss.
Monday, December 21st 2020, 10:32 pm
By: Barry Mangold
OKLAHOMA CITY -
After an almost entirely virtual fall semester, Oklahoma City Public Schools is planning on having students back in classrooms as early as next month.
OKCPS district released its Return to Learn Plan for the spring semester on Friday, which includes changes to the district’s air filtration systems, increased testing capabilities and added contact tracers.
“We’re not going to take steps forward until we believe it’s the right time to do it,” said Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel.
He said the district plans to transition prekindergarten through 4th grade students to split schedules two weeks into the semester on Jan. 19. Middle and high school students will move to a split schedule on Feb. 1.