Kendall-Whittier in Tulsa, OK

Sequoyah Elementary to be closed down.

Tulsa Public Schools is planning to close or combine 17 schools.

The district says it needs to save money and make better use of school buildings. TPS looked at things such as:

* how many students attend each school;
* how full each building is;
* where the schools are located;
* how much the buildings cost to operate; and
* whether enrollment is expected to grow.

The superintendent announced the proposed school closures on September 21.

The School Board has not made the final decision yet. The board is expected to vote on October 19.

TPS is asking families and the public for feedback before the vote. However, most of the current questions are about what should happen if the changes are approved.

For example, TPS is asking about:

* where students should go;
* transportation;
* moving school programs;
* staffing;
* the timing of changes; and
* how families and students should be supported.

TPS does not clearly explain how each of the 17 schools was chosen.

The district says all of the schools on the closure list have low enrollment and unused building space. But some other schools with similar or lower enrollment are staying open.

That means enrollment and building capacity were not the only reasons used to make the list.

The public information released so far does not show a school-by-school score or formula explaining why one school was chosen to close while another school was kept open. — at Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood.

Sequoyah Elementary to be closed down!

Tulsa Public Schools is planning to close or combine 17 schools.

The district says it needs to save money and make better use of school buildings. TPS looked at things such as:

* how many students attend each school;
* how full each building is;
* where the schools are located;
* how much the buildings cost to operate; and
* whether enrollment is expected to grow.

The superintendent announced the proposed school closures on September 21.

The School Board has not made the final decision yet. The board is expected to vote on October 19.

TPS is asking families and the public for feedback before the vote. However, most of the current questions are about what should happen if the changes are approved.

For example, TPS is asking about:

* where students should go;
* transportation;
* moving school programs;
* staffing;
* the timing of changes; and
* how families and students should be supported.

TPS does not clearly explain how each of the 17 schools was chosen.

The district says all of the schools on the closure list have low enrollment and unused building space. But some other schools with similar or lower enrollment are staying open.

That means enrollment and building capacity were not the only reasons used to make the list.

The public information released so far does not show a school-by-school score or formula explaining why one school was chosen to close while another school was kept open.

Register by October 9th to vote in the November election. Ensure your voter registration is current. Do it now!

Residents are about to have their voices taken away from them by this. If your community developed a sector plan this will override it. This is about 6plex apartments mid block with only 3 required parking spaces. Imagine the other 9 or 11 cars parked up and down your street.

If anyone has had a two way discussion with their city councilor, the mayor, or Tulsa planners on this issue could you please share the details?

Wondering if any of them have budged on this in any way or if they intend to just rubber stamp it at the city council meeting.

This Sunday (May 17) at 3 p.m., you're invited to join me at Tulsa City Hall for an open and honest conversation about homelessness in Tulsa, the work currently underway, and recent events for individuals experiencing homeless.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve heard a lot from Tulsans about recent responses to homelessness services. I know people care deeply about this issue - and so do I. I also know there are questions, frustrations, and different perspectives about how we move forward. That’s why I want to create space to hear directly from you, answer questions, and talk honestly about the work happening across our city.

It's no secret that since taking office, our administration has made homelessness one of our top priorities. We’ve expanded shelter access, launched Safe Move Tulsa, housed nearly 120 people from encampments (with many more to come), opened a winter weather shelter, working to get a low barrier shelter open, and are continuing to build a more coordinated and compassionate response alongside community partners across Tulsa.

There’s still more work ahead, but I believe the only way we move forward is together. Sunday's meeting will be in the Council Chambers on the main floor of City Hall. Hope to see you then.