TPS Superintendent Addresses Tulsa Teachers After SQ 779 Failure

Tulsa Public Schools' Superintendent Deborah A. Gist reached out to Tulsa teachers Wednesday to address the defeat of State Question 779. 

Gist, in a YouTube video, said she was completely surprised and disappointed that the state question didn't pass. 

"I know that as much love and respect and appreciation as I have for you, I can't possibly  imagine what it's like for you, how you're feeling today," Gist said. 
Gist said she was uncertain on how to address the teachers, but that there were several points she thinks are important. 

"The most important thing I think for you to know is that I truly believe with all my heart, that the failure of 779 was not about a lack of respect or appreciation for teachers in Oklahoma, at least not in Tulsa," Gist said. 

11/9/16 Related Story: Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Reacts To Defeat Of State Question 779

Gist said she spoke to people who expressed concern, and even outrage, at teachers' salaries, but that they thought this particular state question wasn't the right solution. 

Citizens were concerned about the tax increase and also about the state more effectively utilizing the existing funding for education, Gist said. 

"I heard that so frequently," Gist said. "I also heard the concern about people being worried that if they passed this, there would just be a reduction to education, that it would get lost as they believe they have seen other funding do."

Gist said her explanations of why some people might not have supported the state question does not excuse what the community did, or didn't do, at the polls Tuesday. 

"It's so important for you to know that we care about you. I love you," Gist said in her message to the teachers. "I appreciate you so much, and this morning when I was pulling myself together and I kept telling myself to 'put on your big girl pants,' and 'you've got to get this together.' The thing that I kept thinking about was the fact that you were doing that, far earlier than the vast majority of people all across the city, you were up and out of your homes before the sun came up at your school, ready to do whatever it takes for our kids despite the general circumstances that we've provided you in Oklahoma, and despite the decision last night." 

Gist said she will work with whomever necessary to find a way to achieve the teachers' raises. 

"You are an inspiration," Gist said to the teachers. "You are a treasure for our community. Together, we will do something about this. Together, we will absolutely make a change. 

"We're going to find that way, and we're going to make sure we make a change. Not only because you deserve that, and you do, but because our children deserve that and because the future of our state, our quality of our life, the health of our economy and everything depends on it."