State Board of Education Stops Before Ending Tulsa Reports

An Oklahoma State Board of Education member on Thursday suggested rethinking Tulsa Public Schools’ regular reports to the state, expressing his intention to “free them up.”

“I would like to make a motion to make next month the last official, in-person meeting for Tulsa,” state board member Zach Archer said during the OSDE board meeting. “I think they did a great job.”

TPS leaders have been reporting to the board ever since State Superintendent Ryan Walters threatened to de-accredit the district, which led to the resignation of former district Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist.

Archer retracted his move after a push. Instead, board member Sarah Lepak made a motion to reevaluate how the district will submit future reports to the state, which passed unanimously.

Walters changed his tone at TPS, regularly praising the district and Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson. More praise was heaped on the district at Thursday’s meeting.

“Not only have they become a model for the state, but in some cases, I think, for the nation,” said board member Donald Burdick. “People are looking at how this urban neighborhood is making big improvements for kids.”

Asked about the meeting, TPS Board President Stacey Woolley said in a text message that she had not watched Thursday’s meeting, but still said the discussions were “bold and dishonest.” She said she wants the board to stop requiring TPS to give reports to the state right away.

“I have repeatedly asked State Superintendent Walters to allow these to end,” she wrote. “Our superintendent cannot afford to participate in this dog and pony show.”

StatesImpact Beth Wallis contributed to this report.