Tulsa-area superintendents hold fundraiser for superintendent candidate Hofmeister

Several Tulsa-area school superintendent will host a fundraising rally for a candidate running to replace Janet Barresi as State Superintendent of Public Education.

Joy Hofmeister, like Barresi a Republican, is expected to be the main contender for the post, meaning the winner of June's primary could well become the next State Superintendent.

Many area superintendents, principals, and teachers have expressed opposition to Barresi's policies, saying that she has refused to listen to their ideas and dictated changes which they find detrimental.

Among those hosting Monday night's invitation-only event are Superintendent Keith Ballard of Tulsa Public Schools, Union Superintendent Kirt Hartzler, and Jenks Superintendent Stacey Butterfield.

Superintendents from Sand Springs and Sapulpa will also co-host, as will Sean Kouplen of Regent Bank and Susan Harris, formerly of the Tulsa Regional Chamber.

"It's been a rough few years working with our current Superintendent," Jenks Public Schools spokeswoman Bonnie Rogers told KRMG Monday.

She continued, saying "Dr. Barresi has been very divisive in some of the things that she has said, and I think it's time to come together and work together with the state department instead of having them be the people that we're working against, we need to all work together in order to do what's best for our kids."