Oklahoma school districts to see budget cuts due to revenue shortfalls, BAPS to expect $2.1 million deficit
Launch the media gallery 1 playerWith revenue shortfalls and collapsing oil prices due to the global pandemic, Oklahoma school districts will see budget cuts for the upcoming school year. Broken Arrow Public Schools is expecting a deficit of $2.1 million.
“Unfortunately, the state declared a revenue failure of $416.9 million dollars for the end of fiscal year 2020, and the deficit for fiscal year 2021 is $1.3 billion. Because of these numbers, the legislative session ended with passing a budget that cuts common education by 4.6% through the state aid formula,” said Broken Arrow Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Natalie Eneff. “While this news is unsettling, I’m confident we will able to weather the storm with our fund balance without making immediate cuts to student programming or staffing.”
Federal support from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) will be crucial to offset losses in the district’s budget. The CARES Act appropriated $161 million for Oklahoma school districts and provided Gov. Kevin Stitt with another $40 million for education relief.
For Broken Arrow, the budget cut is expected to be $3.7 million; however, the district will receive $1.6 million through the CARES Act, making the final deficit $2.1 million.
“Our state’s education system has been long plagued by budget cuts, so our administrators and staff are conservative spenders,” Eneff said. “Their consistent efforts are much appreciated as we prepare to withstand yet another revenue shortfall.”