Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt demanded Tulsa Public Schools face an audit for the possible misuse of public funds and expressed concern that the district was violating a state law banning the teaching of critical race theory.
In a video message Thursday, Stitt said that he was calling for the audit at the request of two members of the Tulsa school board who had expressed concerns that the district had potentially misused public funds.
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The July 1 letter from board members Jennettie Marshall and E’Lena Ashley beseeched the governor to request the state auditor to commence a “special audit of Tulsa Public Schools and misuse of public funds.”
“Unknown to us who are members of the Tulsa School Board … an internal investigation was conducted into financial losses possibly at the hands of a District employee,” the letter said. “With grave concern for the public trust and the children of Tulsa Public Schools, we, the school board members of Tulsa Public Schools, humbly ask your office make a request for a special/forensic audit of Tulsa Public Schools by the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd.”
In his Thursday video message, Stitt noted that Tulsa Public Schools had received over $200 million in coronavirus relief funds but kept schools closed longer than any other district in the state.
Today I am calling for a special audit of Tulsa Public Schools and the potential mishandling of public funds. I’m also concerned TPS may have violated state law by teaching critical race theory.
We will get to the bottom of what’s going on at Tulsa Public Schools. pic.twitter.com/0nhMhfRXh2
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) July 7, 2022
“Board members, parents, students, and teachers deserve to know how that money was spent,” Stitt said.
Last week, Tulsa Public Schools said it was cooperating with local law enforcement in investigating the district’s management of $20,000 in contracts, according to Tulsa World.
Stitt also said he was concerned the school district had violated a state law that prohibits public schools from incorporating critical race theory into classroom instruction.
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“I firmly believe that not one cent of taxpayer money should be used to define and divide young Oklahomans by their race or sex,” Stitt said. “Let’s teach students, not indoctrinate them.”
Last month, Tulsa Public Schools Chief Talent and Equity Officer Devin Fletcher resigned from his position without stating a reason.
