Tulsa school board votes to close or consolidate 17 sites to cut costs

The vote

The Tulsa Public Schools board approved a plan to close or consolidate 17 school sites, a move that affects families at 14 elementary schools, two middle schools and one alternative program. ^[1] The board approved the closures and consolidations on Oct. 19, 2026. ^[2]

The plan is intended to address declining enrollment and save about $12 million. ^[1] The changes are scheduled to take effect in the 2027-28 school year. ^[1]

The board approved the plan despite appeals from dozens of families and community members who asked it to delay or reconsider. ^[1]

Why the district says it is closing schools

The Oklahoma district lost about a fifth of its student population in the last decade. ^[2] Enrollment fell from about 40,900 students in October 2016 to 32,500 in October 2026, a 20.5% decrease. ^[2] The district reports serving 779 fewer students this fall than in the same period of the 2025-26 school year. ^[2]

The district says affected schools have fewer than 400 students and use less than 65% of their buildings. ^[1] On Sept. 8 the district reported it would need 2,600 more students to balance the budget given its current staffing levels. ^[2]

The money

The board passed a resolution in July asking Tulsa leadership to bring forth recommendations to save at least $12 million amid budget stress. ^[2] The closure plan is expected to save the district $11.1 million. ^[2]

Tulsa leadership also directed central office staff to identify $1.5 million in additional savings for the upcoming fiscal year. ^[2] Those savings are to come mainly through reduced salary costs via attrition and cuts to non-salary costs. ^[2]

Before the plan, leadership had cut or significantly reduced contracts by $4.3 million from fiscal year 2025 to FY26. ^[2] Tulsa also eliminated district office positions and found separate savings of $1.7 million across departments. ^[2]

Staffing compared with other districts

Tulsa said its workforce is out of step with its enrollment. ^[2] In 2025 it had 146.9 full-time employees per 1,000 students, above Oklahoma City's 135.8 and Owasso's 123.4. ^[2]

The Sept. 21 consolidation proposal included no changes to current staffing and no salary freezes for district employees. ^[2]

What district officials say

Officials say consolidation will help direct resources toward students and retain qualified educators. ^[1] Superintendent Ebony Johnson said the district is now better positioned to serve every student with more direct services and highly qualified educators in every classroom. ^[2]

Residents mourn the loss of long-standing neighborhood institutions and worry about the future of vacant buildings. ^[1]

Enrollment and bond plans

To boost enrollment, the district will expand virtual programs to students living outside the district and increase seats in the most in-demand programs. ^[2]

The 2026 voter-approved bond package totaled $609 million. ^[2] The district will follow through on 2026 bond investments to upgrade College and Career Academies and improve fine arts and athletics programs. ^[2]