Amid shakeup with state official, Tulsa superintendent steps down “with a broken heart”

Following weeks of public criticism from Oklahoma’s State Superintendent Ryan Walters, Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Deborah A. Gist reluctantly announced her resignation on Tuesday, a move Walters has been waiting for in order to get the district “back on track.”

“I’ve been crystal clear that Tulsa Public Schools needs a dramatic change in leadership, and I am pleased to see the board taking this seriously with the removal of Deborah Gist,” Walters wrote in a statement following her decision.

“I am optimistic that this is a step in the right direction, that TPS and the community takes their situation seriously. Financial transparency and academic outcomes must come next. I will always put Tulsa kids first.”

Walters has made several public comments regarding his thoughts on how Gist has led the district. He spoke frequently of the district’s poor management and failing grades, which date back to 2010. According to KFOR, Walters once described the district as a bus being driven by Gist, which has “veered off the road,” “gone into a ditch, and now that bus has crashed right into a tree,” during a media conference.

“In the last seven years, we’ve continued to see failed leadership from Superintendent Gist here in Tulsa.”

Her resignation also comes just two days before the State Board of Education is set to meet to discuss potentially lowering the district’s accreditation, KTUL reports. But her decisions didn’t come lightly.

“It is no secret that our state superintendent has had an unrelenting focus on our district and specifically on me, and I am confident that my departure will help to keep our democratically-elected leadership and our team in charge of our schools—this week and in the future,” Gist wrote in her announcement to the district.

“So, with a broken heart, but unbreakable commitment, I have begun those discussions with our school board.”

According to her announcement, her final day with the district is September 15. But until then, she says she’ll “have more to say in a proper goodbye.”

Mike Neal, president of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, also released a statement praising Gist for her commitment to the district over the years and promises to find a successor to “ensure a continued focus on students and their academic success,” KJRH reports.

“We have been fortunate to have a native Tulsan as superintendent for nearly eight years,” Neal said. “Dr. Gist cares deeply about our community, and she is extremely committed to helping ensure a bright future for Tulsa’s students.”

As for now, Ebony Johnson, who is currently the senior director of student engagement, is set to take the role of interim superintendent.