Dr. Zolkoski Speaks Out On Departure

TPS Superintendent Doctor Michael Zolkoski is out of a job, but still claims the district had a good year.

Tuesday, July 15th 2008, 6:29 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Public Schools ousts its current leader, Superintendent Doctor Michael Zolkoski, and is already looking for a new one. News On 6's Ashli Sims reports Doctor Michael Zolkoski strolled into TPS with some big ideas and a groundswell of support. Two years later, one of his big ideas went bust and the support shifted to send him packing.

Click here to read the agreement to terminate Dr. Zolkoski's contract.

Hugs and tears followed the announcement that Superintendent Doctor Michael Zolkoski will be leaving Tulsa Public Schools.

"I think it was the right decision for all parties," said Matt Livingood, Tulsa School Board.

The move comes after months of very public scrutiny, sparked by the controversial Tulsa Academic Center. A scathing investigation into TAC revealed a school in crisis, marred by violence and overcrowding, where administrators didn't even keep track of who was supposed to be attending.

Click here to read the full TAC report.

The report indicates the district's response to the problems was completely inadequate.

"We had one school out of 90 that had some problems," said Dr Michael Zolkoski, TPS Superintendent.

Since March, Zolkoski has been trying to correct what went wrong at TAC.

"You know in a district this size, where you're spending almost half a billion dollars, with over 7,000 employees, being the largest district in Oklahoma, you're going to have things, pilot programs, that don't work," Dr. Michael Zolkoski, TPS Superintendent.

But many said the debacle should cost him his job, including the Tulsa World's editorial board.

School board members say it wasn't TAC that ended Zolkoski's career with TPS.

"TAC was not the defining issue. The defining issue for me was that all the conversation in the district was about whether folks supported the superintendent or opposed the superintendent and his initiatives," said Livingood.

Matt Livingood says the superintendent became bigger than the school district and that was a barrier to school business. So, they came to an agreement to part ways.

Zolkoski will work for the next three months. The district will pay him what was promised in his contract, $400,000.

In the meantime, he has a few items on his agenda, including a pay raise for teachers.

"Because I think our teachers deserve it. We have great teachers. Some of the finest teaching I've seen has been in Tulsa. So, I'm going to be working on those raises to try to get that done before I leave," said Dr. Zolkoski.

So, don't count on him packing up his office and taking it easy, just yet.

"I don't slack off," said Dr. Zolkoski.

Dr. Zolkoski will get two years worth of his salary, but he is forfeiting all bonuses.