OKC schools hire Mustang superintendent

By Nathan Altadonna, News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Mustang schools superintendent Karl Springer will take over as the top administrator for Oklahoma City Public Schools.

The Oklahoma City school board voted 6-0 to hire Springer as superintendent during a special meeting Monday afternoon. Board member Wilfredo Santos Rivera abstained.

The 40,000-student district has been without a superintendent since John Porter resigned in January after being accused of financial improprieties. After an investigation, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater declined to file charges against Porter, saying investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing.

After looking at 40 different candidates, board members said they were impressed with Springer's work during his eight years as the Mustang schools superintendent.

"We are excited about the leadership and vision Karl will provide for the district and for the vision of making Oklahoma City Public Schools a premier school district in the United States," said Al Basey, board of education vice chairman.

Springer, a  retired Army colonel with a 30-year education career, said he applied for the job to help the community. Click here to view his resume.

"There are 40,000 great reasons to want to be the superintendent of the Oklahoma City school district," Springer said.

Springer will oversee 85 schools and 5,000 employees.

"It's about the kids; it's about students," he said. "We want to make sure those students get a quality education. "

Springer, 59, said he plans to help improve the district. "Oklahoma City deserves, and I hope demands, that we'll have a premier school district."

School officials said Springer will receive a $185,000 compensation package, about $40,000 less than Porter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.