In their last city council meeting last week, the Guthrie city council passed an agreement with Guthrie Public Schools (GPS) that is expected to save the school district approximately $140,000 and prevents the loss of three teaching positions.
Much like the majority of the state’s public schools, GPS is looking at budget cuts and personnel reduction. The council’s decision of funding three School Resource Officers (SRO) for the upcoming school year will assist the school district during their funding shortage.
In previous agreements, the school district funded two SRO’s ($64,000) while the City provided funding for one SRO ($32,000).
A City spokesperson said, “Research shows that quality education has many benefits for citizens and communities.”
In addition to the SRO funding, GPS has been granted a reduction (at cost) in water and wastewater expenses.
Superintendent of GPS, Dr. Mike Simpson, says the City’s action is a “life-preserver.”
“It is the hope of both GPS and the City of Guthrie that state funding will return to a previous level of support so we can provide the services necessary for our students,” Simpson said. “They are short-term solutions and a long-term solution must come from our state legislature.
The one-year agreement is set to begin Aug. 1.
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