Dr. Deborah Gist speaks out after mutual separation from Tulsa Public Schools
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Ryan Walters did not mince words at the State Board of Education meeting last Thursday.
He incorrectly asserted that the Tulsa board had forced out Dr. Gist rather than the reality that it was a mutual separation due to his relentless attacks on her and the district.
Walters said by her leaving the district was cutting out a cancer as he called it.
For her part, Dr. Gist says this has not been a back-and-forth between the district and the state superintendent, but a relentless assault from him.
She says his attacks on the district are based on lies that she has seen firsthand.
"Mr. Walters has never been in a Tulsa public school. He's never asked for a meeting with us. The only time we've ever sat down was at my request, and he never raised the topic of student achievement. I actually raised it to him as he was wrapping up the meeting, and made sure that he knew of the plans that we have in place. And he proceeded the following entire week to say that we had no plan even though I had just shared it with him. So there's definitely something going on that wasn't about kids. But now that that I've stepped away it feels like the tide will turn." Dr. Deborah Gist, Outgoing Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent.
Walters says Dr. Gist leaving the district is a good start, but is requiring the districts to check in monthly with the State Board of Education to update them on their progress toward improving academic achievement.
He told the board "Do not test me" when it comes to consequences down the line If there is not what he determines to be a significant improvement.