TULSA, Okla. — Watch the meeting live:
Oklahoma's State Board of Education voted on Aug. 24 if Tulsa Public Schools' could keep its status as an accredited school district. The board voted to keep the accreditation with deficiencies.
This vote brings to a head a years-long battle between the district and the state.
In Jan. 2021, a war of words sparked on Twitter.
Governor Kevin Stitt called out TPS for students not being in schools for 300-plus days during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It's been 319 days since a high school student in Tulsa Public Schools has had the option to be in the classroom.
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) January 26, 2021
This is not okay.
I applaud the parents, teachers and school board members who are insisting that we put our students first. pic.twitter.com/I6OVltr9um
That same month, 2 News spoke with then Secretary of Education Ryan Walters, who was appointed by Stitt.
"The long-term impact of our students going another semester without an in-person learning option would be catastrophic academically, emotionally, and fiscally," Walters said.
In Feb. 2021, TPS Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist fired back against Stitt in a long post calling him a bully over continued attacks regarding COVID.
In the beginning of 2022, while no other district faced similar targeting, Stitt called for a special audit of TPS funds, citing Critical Race Theory violations and question vendor contracts, which Gist maintained was an isolated situation already dealt with.
The total mishandling of funds is still being investigated but one staff member was fired.
In July 2022, TPS's accreditation was demoted after the state board decided 4-2 that the district violated HB 1775, which prohibits teaching that one race or sex is inherently superior to another, causing a student to feel guilty or uncomfortable because of their race or gender, or teaching that anyone is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive.
A professional development session on implicit bias for teachers only prompted the demotion.
The board voted for a more severe penalty than recommended, ultimately demoting TPS to "accreditation with warning" instead of "accreditation with deficiency." "Accreditation with warning" means a school site fails to meet one or more of the standards and seriously detracts from the quality of the school’s educational program.
- Previous coverage >>> TPS Accreditation Fight
This vote was held under State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. She voted against demoting TPS's accreditation.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters took office on Jan. 9, 2023.
During a 2023 graduation ceremony, TPS board member E'Lena Ashley took part of her time speaking to pray. The TPS board asked her not to do it again, claiming it violates the constitution.
This happened as Walters was making efforts to put 10 commandment displays in public schools and additional requirements suggesting prayer during the daily moment of silence.
Walters held a press conference in Tulsa, showing his support for Ashley.
"Well, we've seen what Dr. Gist's reaction was and that was to attack a board member and send an email which fundamentally misunderstands religious freedom and religious liberties and instead attacks a duly elected board member," Walters said. "It's outrageous."
Walters vowed to begin an investigation — not into the prayer, but a mishandling of funds — citing the same vendor contracts Stitt questioned, in addition to other so far unsubstantiated mishandling of funds.
- Previous coverage >>> Tulsa school board member criticized for LGBTQ+ commentary
Last month, Walters requested the Board of Education not approve the accreditation of TPS until his investigation is complete, saying all options are on the table, including replacing TPS leadership.
In addition to these issues, Ryan Walters criticized TPS and Gist for "liberal and woke indoctrination" on multiple occasions.
Although TPS and other schools have claimed to have removed banned books he questioned, it continues to be a conversation. Gist is also a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ issues, while Walters campaigned heavily on being against transgender bathrooms.
On Aug. 22, Gist announced she is stepping down from her position as TPS superintendent in an effort to maintain local control of the school board.
On Aug. 23, the TPS board voted to accept her resignation and appoint Dr. Ebony Johnson as interim superintendent until the board selects an official replacement.
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