TPS To Start Paying Incoming Superintendent During Transition

Tulsa Public Schools will start paying Superintendent-in-waiting Deborah Gist $775 a day.

She'll be on the payroll only with out-going superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard while the district says the two work on a smooth transition.

“This is a standard and widely used practice when school districts are transitioning to new leadership. The purpose of the agreement is to cover the transitional period between now and when Dr. Gist will officially become employed with the district as superintendent,” said TPS board president, Dr. Lana Turner-Addison, in a statement.

2/2/2015 Related Story: Tulsa School Board Hires Gist As Superintendent

If she works every day until she takes over as superintendent, July 1st, Gist will make almost $100,000.

“This is an appropriate and necessary agreement and it follows the protocols and structures of agreements with prior superintendents. We feel it's critical to allow a several-month transition to ensure Dr. Ballard and Dr. Gist are in constant communication and the needs of the district are not negatively impacted by the transition in leadership," Turner-Addison said.

According to the news release, this isn't the first time TPS has entered into an interim agreement with an incoming superintendent. The release says Ballard had a similar agreement in 2008.