Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry’s budget recommendations would prevent some education cuts

/> That district already has laid off four employees because of fiscal shortfalls this year.

The superintendents called together Thursday said class sizes will increase while support staff decreases; textbooks won’t be updated this year; students will ride the bus longer or walk farther to school; and for at least one district the future beyond 2012 is questionable.

"We are beyond the point of absorption in Norman Public Schools,” Superintendent Joe Siano said. Siano said the 10 percent cut to state aid would mean losing between 150 and 180 personnel, including between 35 and 40 teachers, counselors, librarians and administrators.

Tulsa Public Schools Chief of Staff Bob Burton called his district’s position of losing 173 non-classroom positions and 225 teachers "heinous and nefarious.”

"These kinds of cuts are absolutely devastating, not only to Tulsa, but to all school districts throughout the state of Oklahoma,” Burton said.