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OKCPS officials report $364 million revenue projection; public commenter warns of $20 million shortfall
Summary
Finance staff told the OKCPS board the district projects about $364 million in revenue and expenses for fiscal 2025 and an estimated $29 million general fund ending balance; a public commenter said the district faces a $20 million deficit and urged a comprehensive recovery plan.
Oklahoma City Public Schools finance staff on Monday told the board the district is projecting roughly $364 million in revenue and the same in expenses for fiscal year 2025, with an estimated general fund ending balance of about $29 million as of June 30.
The presentation by finance staffer Sydney Ward followed a public comment from Zachary Weisman, who described himself as “a private citizen who cares deeply about the future of Oklahoma City Public Schools” and said he was “concerned” after reading the fiscal year 2025 financial report. Weisman told the board the district was “projecting a 20,000,000 deficit” and that the general fund balance was “below 6%, approaching the state's financial wash threshold,” urging the board to adopt a long‑term recovery strategy with public benchmarks.
Ward presented March financial statements and summarized the district’s short‑term projections: “We're projecting an ending revenue of about 364,000,000, and the same with our expenses … with an ending fund balance of about $29,000,000 in general fund.” She said March showed only a slight change from February and that the end‑of‑year position will be clearer when April and May are closed; OKCPS’s fiscal year ends June 30.
Ward also reported projections for other funds: the building fund at about $27 million in revenue with an ending fund balance near $14 million (timing affected by receipt of ESSER funds), and school nutrition projecting about $28 million in revenue, $25 million in expenses and an estimated ending fund balance around $10 million.
During discussion a board member asked whether the district faced a $20 million deficit. Ward responded, “No. We don't have a $20,000,000,” and explained the district had reduced expenses after the end of federal ESSER funding and worked to align spending to current revenues. Ward cautioned that the March numbers will be refined when April and May close but said “it should not deviate much off this.”
Board members and staff also noted components that affect formula funding such as weighted average daily membership (WADM). Ward said formula funding changes would be clearer at year end.
No formal action was taken. The conversation centered on monitoring year‑end results, clarifying fund balances relative to board policy thresholds and continuing public communication about recovery planning.
