Overview

• At a Tulsa event, Gov. Kevin Stitt introduced longtime educator Lindel Fields as superintendent and rolled out a turnaround team, two new board members, and new Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin.
• Fields outlined priorities that include boosting reading proficiency, recruiting and retaining teachers, expanding career pathways, and conducting a comprehensive review of contracts and programs.
• Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s requested audit of the education department’s finances during Walters’ tenure is active, and the state auditor’s office has been notified.
• Stitt urged lawmakers to put a ballot measure before voters to convert the superintendent’s job from an elected office to a governor-appointed post to align governance and accountability.
• Teachers interviewed statewide described relief and renewed hope as Fields began internal stabilization efforts and prepared town halls and other public outreach.