State Board Of Education Praises Tulsa Public Schools On Progress

The Oklahoma State Board of Education is exploring new ways for Tulsa Public Schools to continue its updates on the district's academic and financial status.

For a year, TPS leaders have traveled to Oklahoma City for a monthly presentation given to state superintendent Ryan Walters and the board.

Walters and the Board of Education are making it clear that they still want to be informed about Tulsa Public Schools' academic and financial status. However, one board member wants to end the district's monthly presentations.

The accreditation status for Tulsa Public Schools was once again on the agenda during Thursday’s State Board of Education monthly meeting. TPS superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson and other leaders were not there to allow them to focus on the start of the new school year.

For the last year, Dr. Johnson and those leaders have presented lengthy presentations on improving the district.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters praised Dr. Johnson and the district for the progress made so far, paying attention to new programs and focusing on tackling attendance issues.

The board voted on a motion for the education department to work with the district toward more relaxed updates moving forward.

“I do want to develop some kind of regular update, and again, our agency will continue to do it if it's not done publicly; there's a lot of folks that are concerned — I want to make sure Tulsa continues on this route. I think they are; I think they've already done a good job,” said Walters.

Any new policy could be announced at next month's board of education meeting.