TPS Superintendent Vouches For New Deputy, Despite Some Controversy

Tulsa Public schools is changing its leadership chain of command and hiring a new deputy superintendent.

The school board will approve the changes at a special meeting Wednesday evening.

The new deputy superintendent will be Dr. Kim Dyce Faucette, the former superintendent of the North Syracuse Central School district in New York.

The district here says she's got outstanding qualifications, and 22 years' experience, but her last district is paying her to leave early, after just two years on the job there.

8/6/2013 Related Story: Tulsa School Board To Consider New Deputy Superintendent Hire

Dr. Kim Dyce Faucette started her career as a history teacher in New York state, where she's risen through the ranks to principal, chief of staff and superintendent of a major school district.

After a national search by consultants for Tulsa, Dyce Faucette emerged, earning the recommendation of current Superintendent Keith Ballard.

"She had a sterling record in Rochester. She worked on school closings, reassignments--all of the experience that we were looking for," Ballard said.

Many superintendents attract controversy, and Dyce Faucette has had her share, including a budget crisis and 5 percent tax increase that voters rejected, her firing of two popular coaches, and claims she and the school board were secretive and arrogant in dealings with parents and teachers.

The Syracuse school board agreed last month to pay out the remaining year of her contract if she would resign.

She's getting $182,000 to leave early, a letter of recommendation, and a promise that her former employer won't say anything negative about why she's leaving.

Read Dyce Faucette's letter of resignation

Read Dyce Faucette's letter of recommendation from Syracuse

Read Dyce Faucette's separation agreement with Syracuse

Ballard discounts the past controversy in recommending Dyce Faucette.

"It's not that uncommon for a superintendent to end up in a position that's not a good fit," Ballard said. "Today, you can find a lot of information on people by reading the Internet. I'll promise you I read every one of those stories, I'll promise you that I had a thorough couple of conversations with her, and I'll promise you that I also have talked with people who worked with her and who know about her work there."

Reporter Emory Bryan will have more on the future leadership of the district at 9 and 10 p.m. on News On 6.