Thompsonâ€™s Supporters Promise Fight, Others Say Maybe He Needs to Go

Supporters say they'll fight to keep Tulsa school superintendent John Thompson on the job. While Thompson supporters make their stance known, some teachers say he should move on. Reaction is still

Friday, February 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Supporters say they'll fight to keep Tulsa school superintendent John Thompson on the job. While Thompson supporters make their stance known, some teachers say he should move on. Reaction is still strong to a school board committee's decision Wednesday not to renew Thompson's contract.

Supporters of superintendent Thompson called for a noon rally Friday, but only two protestors appeared. The showing does not indicate weak support for Thompson, according to school board member Michael Pierce, who says he's hearing from his constituents on the Thompson decision. "They're concerned about projects in their district, and the other thing they're concerned about is why?,â€ Pierce said. â€œWe really haven't said why the committee made those recommendations."

Terry McGee was one Tulsa parent willing to brave Friday's cold, because he's found Thompson to be knowledgeable and caring. "It's nice to see that kind of attitude displayed, and I hate to see him leave now,â€ McGee said. â€œI'm comfortable having someone of that kind of character as superintendent."

However, there are others who aren't so comfortable with Thompson. Some teachers spoke out on the Thompson controversy. "Most teachers say, 'He's been looking for another job - let him go,'â€ said Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association president Beth Gooch. â€œHe obviously doesn't want to stay in Tulsa. If he were simply interviewing for other jobs, he could have done it a little bit more low key."

Gooch says teacher salaries reflect Thompson's relationship with Tulsaâ€™s teachers. "I don't believe he puts teachers first,â€ she said. â€œIt seems that teachers don't feel valued. It's perhaps time to move on."

Middle school counselor Steve Stockley believes most teachers and support personnel favor the committee decision not to renew Thompsonâ€™s contract. "I would probably substantiate my feeling with the fact that a couple of years ago, the school district made a school climate survey, and there was significant - in fact well over a majority of the support personnel and teachers gave Dr. Thompson a negative rating," noted Stockley.

Regardless of their opinion of Thompson, Pierce encourages Tulsans to continue to express it to board members. He said the committee's word is not the last one. "I believe if enough Tulsans show support, the board will respond to the constituents of Tulsa," Pierce said.