Shawnee Schools shake-up: An $8,000 superintendent search

With Dr. Aaron Espolt's resignation as superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools, the district has launched its search for a new leader.

Espolt resigned following an Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) investigation into decades-old misconduct allegations.

Though Espolt denied the claims, the state revoked his teaching license in December 2024. Shawnee Public Schools (SPS) officially severed ties with him last month.

SPS confirmed Espolt did not receive pay for the remainder of his contract. However, the district is still paying a price—spending thousands of taxpayer money in the search for a new superintendent.

A Pattern of Abrupt Departures

By the time Espolt became Shawnee’s superintendent, he had built a decades-long career in education. Espolt's past resurfaced in August 2024 when the OSDE opened an investigation into him and two other teachers over allegations of inappropriate conduct with female students.

His career included frequent moves between Oklahoma school districts, with some positions ending abruptly. Online court records further reveal complaints of possible long-standing misconduct, with allegations dating back to his coaching stint at Little Axe in the early 2000s and later as a teacher at Boone-Apache Schools.

Espolt has consistently denied the accusations. During his recent legal dispute with OSDE, he described the claims as “vague and salacious.”

Espolt's attorney argued there was no documentation to support the allegations, claiming they were written to damage Espolt’s reputation. He has never been charged with a crime.

Despite Espolt's denials and secrecy regarding OSDE's findings, the state revoked his teaching license in December 2024.

The Cost to the District

The Shawnee Board of Education hired the Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA) to conduct a thorough search, signing an $8,000 contract last month. The goal is to find a leader who aligns with the district’s priorities and the community’s values.

According to the contract, OSSBA is developing marketing materials, offering interview guidelines, and conducting community surveys.

“The school cannot survive without the community, and the community cannot survive without the school,” Espolt said in his ‘State of the Schools’ address in February 2024.

Now, the district is turning to that same community for input to help shape its future. Parents, students, and staff were invited to participate in online surveys through ThoughtExchange, a platform that gathers community feedback on key issues.

The Hiring Process

The timeline is already in motion:

1. February 10: Search officially opened
2. March 7: Applications close
3. Late March: First-round interviews begin
4. TBD: Second-round interviews, selection, and official announcement
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Interim Leadership

Until a permanent replacement is named, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Teresa Wilkerson will continue leading the district. The Shawnee Board of Education emphasized their commitment to moving forward and restoring trust in the community. The district is expected to announce updates on its search process in the coming weeks.

Next Steps

As applications roll in, Shawnee Public Schools is looking ahead—with hopes of hiring the next superintendent before the summer.

Interested candidates can apply here: [Shawnee Superintendent Search Application]