Tensions Rise As TPS Board Members Hold Meeting, Vote On Items

Three days after three board members walked out of a Tulsa Public School Board meeting, tensions continued to rise as the board met again.

Security escorted a woman out and board member E'lena Ashley and Board President Stacey Woolley exchanged words over meeting rules.

The meeting, tense at times, gave the board an opportunity to vote on and discuss 15 agenda items, from technology upgrades to tutoring. Those items were supposed to be discussed at Monday’s meeting, but were pushed to Thursday after the walkout.

This all comes as TPS faces a state audit, after the district discovered at least $20,000 in mismanaged funds.

Ashley and board member Dr. Jennettie Marshall asked Governor Stitt for the audit and have been critical of what they call the district’s lack of financial transparency.

"When we walk away from the table, it's hard to have discussions so I was a bit shocked,” said Mott-Wright. "We just need to do what's best for kids, period, end of story. Don't care if you're pea green and purple spotted, don't care where you fall politically, let's just do what's best for kids."

After the agenda items were passed, Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist said that they were prepared Thursday with documentation, which some board members wanted to see.

"They expect us to work together as adults and to get these things done so our schools can function effectively," said Gist.

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