TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma State Auditor Cindy Byrd said an audit into Tulsa Public Schools revealed a culture of non-compliance and a systemic lack of internal controls from 2015 to 2023.
The call for an audit began in 2022 after TPS Chief Talent and Equity Officer Devin Fletcher resignedover "questionable contracts."
TPS had an independent audit and found nearly half a million dollars in misappropriated funds. The state audit found additional monies, bringing the total to $824,504.
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TPS Board Members E’Lena Ashley and Dr. Jennettie Marshall sent Governor Kevin Stitt a letter calling for a state-level audit. He heeded their request in July 2022.
Stitt asked them to look at three key issues:
- Irregularity in vendor contracts
- ESSER funds
- HB 1775 issues
Through the audit, Byrd looked at expenditures, controls, and oversight regarding state law and district policies.
Byrd said the findings revealed:
- Multiple admins fostered a culture of non-compliance.
- Systemic lack of internal control
- Lack of transparency with the board and public
She said if these were in place before 2018, then Fletcher's embezzlement could have been caught earlier or prevented.
The team found 1,450 financial discrepancies and said TPS used its foundation to work around the legally-required bidding process.
TPS overpaid $243,000 in one case because of poor bookkeeping. It also owed at least $1.2 million to the Oklahoma Teacher Retirement program.
“No auditor wants to find evidence like this," Byrd said.
She said there are still a number of unanswered questions after finishing the audit.
WATCH: Bryd held a news conference to go over results:
Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson responded to the audit shortly after the press conference:
Governor Kevin Stitt released a statement on the TPS audit findings: "I requested this audit in 2022, and today Auditor Byrd finally confirmed what myself and many other Oklahomans believed to be true— where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And it’s deeply troubling to see Tulsa Public Schools having engaged in such gross financial misconduct." "The release of the audit is only the first step in holding wrongdoers accountable. The Attorney General needs to take immediate action and bring charges wherever possible. This can never be allowed to happen in Oklahoma again."
TPS response to the state audit:
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