ImpactTulsa and the Tulsa Regional Chamber say the coming loss of 667 local school jobs will mean more than $33 million in lost wages.
Those jobs represent the total number 15 area districts plan on losing next school year. Chamber President Mike Neal said that will cause the loss of 340 non-school jobs and a $4.2 million drop in state and local sales taxes.
"But we also lose well into the future, because the roles that are being eliminated — both teachers and support personnel — are the very roles that we desperately need to help our region turn out well-educated, highly skilled workers that will propel our community forward for years to come," Neal said.
Chamber Chairman Jeff Dunn said businesses thinking of coming here will probably start having second thoughts, too.
"Site selection consultants looking at the Tulsa region, one of the first things they assess is the health of our education system," Dunn said.
Jenks Public Schools Superintendent Stacey Butterfield called a proposed one-cent state sales tax the "only viable solution" right now but wants to see state lawmakers do something because the tax will be hard for communities schools serve.
"There's still an opportunity ... why not?" Butterfield said. "Yes, we only have three weeks, but why not. There are other opportunities for other solutions to be put forth."
School and local officials are calling on Oklahoma lawmakers to restore education funding before the legislative session ends.
