Skiatook Parents Petition Signatures For Grand Jury

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

SKIATOOK, OK -- Parents of one Tulsa County school district are angry over a school spending scandal earlier this year and they are now taking to the streets to get answers.

They want a grand jury to investigate Skiatook Public Schools for wasting more than half a million taxpayer dollars.

03/23/2010 Related Story: Tulsa County Judge Approves Skiatook Grand Jury Petition

Venita Womble says when she first heard about the spending scandal at her children's school, she could hardly believe it.

"Well first it's the shock. It's like, how could this happen? How could this happen? And why did this happen?" said Womble, Skiatook parent.

A state audit revealed two months ago that Skiatook Schools wasted more than half a million dollars on overpriced janitorial supplies and equipment. Documents show the district paid 180-dollars for a mop that cost five bucks.

Skiatook's school board suspended its superintedent Dr. Gary Johnson, who was in charge of purchasing. He's asked for a hearing to fight for his job, but it hasn't been set.

In the meantime, Skiatook Parents like Venita Womble are still looking for answers. And they're half-way to their goal of 5,000 signatures which they need to impanel a grand jury.

"So it can be investigated. And help all the other schools to make sure it doesn't happen to another school. I mean it was a total waste of taxpayer dollars. And it shouldn't have happened." Womble said.

Some agree and are signing their support.

"As a voter you go, 'Why isn't this money being accounted for?' It's our tax dollars. We should be able to know!" said Beth Bullard, Tulsa County resident.

"How did it happen? How did it happen? And why? They need answers. It's awful," said Angela Seibal, Tulsa County resident.

Others are concerned about the cost of calling a grand jury or don't want to get involved.

"They're not in the Skiatook schools so they don't feel like it affects them. But to me... wasted taxpayer dollars affect all of us." Womble said.

Skiatook School is actually a geographically split district... part is in Tulsa County and the rest is in Osage County. The parents behind the petition filed in Tulsa County, because that's where the district's administration building is.

Read the petition