Overview

• Gov. Kevin Stitt scheduled a noon news conference in Tulsa to reveal who will lead the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
• The vacancy follows Ryan Walters’ official resignation earlier this week from the state superintendent post.
• Local reporting from the Tulsa World says retired CareerTech administrator Lindel Fields is expected to be chosen, though the governor has not confirmed the pick.
• Attorney General Gentner Drummond has asked the state auditor to investigate OSDE spending during Walters’ time in office, citing a documented history of mismanaging tax dollars.
• A spokesperson for State Auditor Cindy Byrd said the auditor’s office has received the AG’s audit request, and Walters is departing to become CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance.