Tulsa Superintendent Resigns in Effort to Prevent State Takeover

In a last-ditch effort to prevent the state from seizing control of Oklahoma’s largest school district, the superintendent of Tulsa, Deborah A. Gist, announced her resignation on Tuesday. The school system in Tulsa, which is considered a Democratic stronghold in the predominantly Republican state, has become a target of the state’s schools chief, Ryan Walters.

Walters, a conservative Republican who assumed office in January, has been critical of the Tulsa schools, citing issues such as low test scores and financial mismanagement. Furthermore, he has been engaged in battles over cultural and religious matters. Walters has even threatened to appoint a new superintendent and hasn’t ruled out revoking the district’s accreditation entirely, which would result in the closure of schools.

Tulsa Public Schools serve nearly 34,000 students, with a student body that is predominantly economically disadvantaged, Hispanic, and Black. The district’s fate was set to be discussed at a State Board of Education meeting on Thursday. Prior to this meeting, Gist wrote a letter to the Tulsa community stating that stepping down would be the best chance to avoid a state takeover. Gist has been the superintendent of Tulsa since 2015.

Acknowledging the ongoing focus on her leadership, Gist expressed confidence in her decision to step aside, believing it would allow the democratically elected leadership to maintain control of the district. As a possible replacement, the Tulsa school board is considering Ebony Johnson, a top district administrator, for the position of interim superintendent.

It remains uncertain how state officials will respond to Gist’s resignation. Walters expressed optimism, stating that financial transparency and academic outcomes must be prioritized. When questioned about the impact of Gist’s resignation on the state’s plans, a spokesperson for Walters stated that “everything is still on the table.”

Research indicates that state takeovers, such as the one proposed in Tulsa, are more common in districts with students from low-income backgrounds and students of color. However, the effect of such takeovers on student outcomes has been mixed.

Notably, Tulsa’s history and politics distinguish it from other districts. As a predominantly blue city in a largely red state, Tulsa has faced restrictions on the teaching of race. This issue carries significant weight in the city due to its past. In 1921, Tulsa was the site of one of the deadliest incidents of racial violence in U.S. history, known as the Tulsa Race Massacre. This event resulted in the destruction of the prosperous Greenwood district, also known as Black Wall Street, and the loss of numerous lives. Walters, who opposes critical race theory, drew criticism for his comments regarding the massacre but later clarified his stance, supporting its inclusion in school curricula.

In her resignation letter, Gist acknowledged Tulsa’s history and warned that a state takeover would exacerbate the long-standing harm suffered by the city, depriving its residents of a collective voice in their schools.

Walters has recently directed attention toward an embezzlement case involving a former Tulsa schools administrator accused of misusing significant funds. He also defended a Tulsa school board member who received backlash for leading a prayer at a public high school graduation, arguing that religious liberty is currently under threat.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Tulsa public schools and its students will navigate the potential impact of a state takeover.