Tempers Flare at Tulsa School Board Meeting

Tuesday, February 29th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Monday night's Tulsa school board meeting was supposed to have focused on the search for the replacement for superintendent John Thompson. However, it turned into a heated debate over Thompson himself.

The board was to have voted Monday night on a committee's decision earlier this month not to renew Thompson's contract. His acceptance of the Pittsburgh Public Schools offer eliminated the need for that vote.

But during the emotional meeting, some Tulsans said they're not finished with the Thompson issue. School board president Ruth Ann Fate had just appointed names to an interim search committee when board member Michael Pierce asked to speak.
"We the board did not discuss the issue to buy out or not buy outâ€¦." he began and was interrupted by Fate who said, "Mr. Pierce, that's really inappropriate."

Pierce then challenged not only Fate's appointment of the search committee, but most of the communication dealing with Thompson's contract, saying there had been too little input from the board and the community. "We wish Dr. Thompson well, but I think we're ready to not drag up some past history," Fate said.

Fate asked citizens who signed up to speak to restrict comments to input on a new superintendent, but most wanted to talk about the one soon to leave. Many spoke in support of Thompson's record at Tulsa Public Schools. Others attacked the board's handling of Thompson's contract with charges of racism.

Councilor Joe Williams told the board he was angry that the district was letting Thompson go. "I don't care if you respect me or not, what you did was wrong,"
he said.

Fate named board members Doug Dodd, Michael Pierce and Cathy Newsome to handle the search for an interim superintendent, and several speakers brought up the name of assistant superintendent LaVerne Wimberly.

Dodd said the emotion at Monday's meeting was expected and appropriate. He said he is concerned about the charges of racism. "I don't believe for a moment that any decision to offer or not offer Dr. Thompson or any other person a contract is based on race," he said. "But if that perception is out there, we have to be very careful."

Pierce said he's confident the board and the district can move beyond the difficult times, depending on who follows Thompson. "If we pick the wrong person who doesn't solidify us then we've got problems," Pierce noted. "But I feel this board will make every effort with community input to make the right decision."

Thompson attended the meeting and didn't speak until the last few minutes. He asked the city to put aside what he called the petty issues adults sometimes face, and think of the children of Tulsa Public Schools. He also offered to serve through the end of his contract on June 30th, while making some trips to Pittsburgh during the transition.

Fate said a meeting is scheduled for Thursday to look at how to work out the remainder of Thompson's service here. Also, Fate announced she'll appoint two search committees. The one named Monday night to handle the interim hire and another committee to be named later that will conduct the search for Thompson's successor.