TPS Board Votes To Extend Superintendent's Contract After Nearly 8 Hr. Meeting

After a meeting that lasted nearly 8 hours the Tulsa Public School board made a decision overnight regarding the contract of Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist.

The Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education started their meeting at 6 p.m., and it finally ended around 2 a.m. Wednesday morning.

In the end, the board voted to extend Dr. Gists' contract until June of 2023.

In a statement, Gist said she is "deeply grateful to the Tulsa Board of Education for the opportunity to continue my service to Tulsa teachers, students, and families."

Gist went on to say that she is confident in the team TPS has in place to continue to move their work forward.

Parents held a protest Tuesday evening at the education service center hoping the board would delay this vote so parents could give their input and soon-to-be newly elected school board members could learn more.

The district said it's typical for them to take action early so the board and superintendent have time to build strong transition plans if needed.