TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) Superintendent Dr. Deborah Gist wrote a letter to TPS board members alerting them to an issue in the talent department department related to the management of a contractor.

She said the issue they identified does not appear to involve a substantial dollar amount and the source of the fund was philanthropic and not taxpayer dollars.

“It is a relatively small amount of money but anyone who knows me knows how deeply committed I am to being a good steward of funds that are provided to us to benefit children and anytime anything comes about, I’m going to act in the way that I did which is swiftly, transparently and certainly as appropriate and that’s what we have done in this situation,” said Gist.

She also added that an independent party to complete a deeper assessment and the person in question is no longer with the district.

Gist said the she has taken these steps in the incident:

• First, I took the necessary personnel action.
• Second, I sought the counsel of the District Attorney.
• Third, I notified our board leadership — President Stacey Woolley and Vice President John Croisant. We stand united in our commitment to transparency and the importance of a swift response.

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