Local News
Schools face drastic cuts
To address continuing budget constraints Gov. Brad Henry announced sweeping cuts to state agencies this week.
While the cuts are supposed to be a band-aid for the injured economy, it is only deepening the wound for education. State education officials say Oklahoma's schools have suffered $43 million in funding cuts during this fiscal year, and some are in danger of closing down or being merged into a neighboring district.
Schools across the state are struggling to make payroll while providing quality education. Chickasha schools Superintendent Jim Glaze said 80 percent or more of his district's budget is tied up in personnel. He said the district has released all unnecessary positions, and if it cut any more, it would have a negative impact on student's day-to-day education.
Glaze said they are trying everything to avoid further cutbacks, but as mid-term adjustments are prepared, he and other area superintendents are worried.
"A lot of people are saying next year will be the worst for public education," AmPo Supt. Chad Hance said. "We are entrusted with the communities most sacred possession ... and when we don't have the funds to do what we need to do, it's just gut wrenching."
Hance said he expects further cuts to his district's budget during the christmas break.
A school system's budget is determined by multiple factors including gross production tax, ad valorem tax, gambling taxes and even taxes on cigarettes – all of which are producing less revenue during this recession.
Hance said that local ad valorem or property tax has gone up slightly, which will decrease next years amount of state funds for Am-Po. He said the increase in tax revenue is not enough to outweigh the increase in student costs in the district.
Ninnekah Supt. Todd Bunch finds himself in a similar situation. He said on Oct. 1, he sent a student count to the state. Ninnekah had 50 more students on Oct. 1 than it did at the end of last school year. Normally, that would mean Ninnekah would receive some $4,000 to $5,000 in additional state aid for each of those 50 students.
Bunch isn't sure he'll ever see that money.
"There is only so much pie to go around," he said. "When the whole pie is smaller than anticipated, it can create problems. We've educated 50 additional students. We've had to drive more miles to get them to school and get them home. We've had to hire an aid and more help in the cafeteria."
These losses in state aid don't figure in drops in revenue from gross production. Gross production, or revenue generated from oil and gas production, is down by one-third. Sales tax is down and the lottery hasn't produced as much money as expected.
"These charitables should come back in state aid," Bunch said.
But, those funds will not reappear for at least a year.
The state of Oklahoma collects this money and sets a yearly budget. Funds are spread based on a formula that considers the school's size and needs. The fixed amount keeps tax rates steady, but leaves many schools guessing what their budget will be in the future.
"The schools get yo-yoed when this happens, and it can really cause some problems for them," said Daryl Johnston, who is CPA for eight local schools.
Johnston has worked with schools since 1984. He said there have been booms and busts throughout history, and Oklahoma legislation has the mechanisms to handle down economies. Johnston entered the accounting industry during the last oil crisis, and this is the first time he has seen state aid cuts made so early in the fiscal year.
"It's not unprecedented, but it's the worst it's ever been," he said.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
