Skiatook School Board Votes To Suspend District Superintendent

By Ashli Sims, The News On 6

SKIATOOK, OK -- A Tulsa County school board blasted for wasting half a million dollars suspends its district superintendent. 

Gary Johnson is out at Skiatook Public Schools indefinitely. Many Skiatook parents are happy with the school board's decision, but frustrated by how they went about it.

Dozens of parents crowded Skiatook Schools' headquarters Tuesday night and waited, hoping for a chance to speak their minds.

"I would like for them to be able to give them a voice and be able to say what some of us feel," said Dianne Shaw, a Skiatook parent.

Many folks like Shaw have been fuming since an audit revealed the district threw away half a million taxpayer dollars. 

According to the audit, Skiatook schools hired an Oklahoma City company, E & E Sales, to buy janitorial supplies and security equipment. The district ended up paying double, triple, even quadruple the price for some items. 

Taxpayers are outraged and many hold the district's chief, Dr. Gary Johnson, who was in charge of purchasing, responsible.

"That's what we're hoping, that the school board will finally stand up and say enough is enough and that the people of Skiatook do not want him here any longer," said Shaw.

After 90 minutes of reviewing the audit and talking it over with their attorney, Skiatook's school board announced Johnson will be suspended with pay until further notice.

"Well I think that's great, but I think the board was cowardly in not letting the people address some of their questions," said Jerry Ray of Skiatook.

"No, we have no answers. We now have to wait for the attorney general. And I think Drew Edmondson will do a good job, but that will take months and this town is in an uproar," said Windsor Ridenour of Skiatook.

It's an uproar that has the community gathering signatures to force a grand jury investigation into their school district and its leadership.

Some of those frustrated parents will meet Wednesday night at 6:00.

Dr. Gary Johnson left before The News On 6 could ask him some questions. The News On 6 tried to talk with the school board president, but he refused. 

It's not clear if Johnson's suspension is temporary or if this will lead to him being fired. The Skiatook school board did not announce who would be taking the helm at the district.

2/26/2010  Related Story: State Auditor: Skiatook Schools' Wasteful Spending May Not Be Isolated Case