Jenks Schools To Cut Teacher Jobs Due To Budget Crisis

Jenks is the latest school district to say it will cut teacher jobs because of the state budget crisis.

While we don't have an exact number of how many jobs, the district estimates anywhere from ten to 20 could be cut.

The teacher-student ratio that Jenks Schools shoots for is one teacher for every 26 students; but because of state cuts to education funding, the ratio will be more like one teacher to every 30 students.

Jenks Public Schools spokesperson, Rob Loeber said, "Bigger class sizes are something that we don't want to see, but something we feel like is probably inevitable with the cuts that are coming up."

The cuts come as the district is growing, adding about 400 students a year.

"Schools have maybe more money than they've ever had before, and that's what the state will tell you, but what they don't tell you is that they don't match the increasing enrollment," Loeber said.

Jenks lost out on more than $550,000 in state funding this fiscal year. The next fiscal year begins in July, and the district expects to lose more than $3.6 million.

It could impact new teachers, including those under temporary contracts.

Normally, those teachers would be evaluated, and some might be brought back on; but now there are concerns their jobs will be gone."

Loeber said, "Between $500,000 and $600,000 in salary, and so if that means ten teachers for that amount of money, if that means 20 teachers."

The official announcement will be made later this month.