State, Local Leaders React To Tulsa Public School Appointing Dr. Ebony Johnson As Superintendent

State and local leaders are reacting to the Tulsa school board’s decision to hire Dr. Ebony Johnson as the district’s new superintendent. Johnson took over the role in an interim capacity three months ago after the resignation of Dr. Deborah Gist.

Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum says Dr. Johnson has his full support in her new role.

“This vote was a big step forward for all who want to see a rapid improvement in outcomes for Tulsa Public Schools,” said Bynum in a statement.

Leaders of the teachers union also praise the decision.

“She now has all of the tools in her toolbelt to do everything that we need to keep progressing,” said Shawna Mott-Wright, president of the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association.

Mott-Wright says the hard work is just getting started, but she is looking forward to what Dr. Johnson has to offer.

“She has a proven record of turning schools around,” said Mott-Wright. “She’s had every position just about, she is the most qualified and she’s in it for the kids.”

State Superintendent Ryan Walters is not as excited.

“Despite months of assurance from TPS that it would take seriously the profound troubling issues in the district, the TPS board showed the exact opposite,” said Walters in a statement.

Walters says he welcomes a close partnership with Dr. Johnson but has a warning for the district.

“TPS is barreling toward drastic action being taken because the district has been unable to make the tough decisions necessary to turn the district around,” he said.

With the interim tag removed, Dr. Johnson says she’ll now be able to fill vacancies and make other changes around the district to get things in order.

“It’s been quite a bit,” she said. “We’re excited about the direction in which we’re going. So, in that vein, I’d say it’s going good.”