Tulsa School Board Approves Dr. Ebony Johnson As Superintendent; Walters Responds

Doctor Ebony Johnson has been approved by the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education to be the permanent superintendent for the district.

The discussion went well into the night, with the board eventually approving Dr. Johnson in a 4 to 2 vote. School board member Dr. Jerry Griffin did not vote, so the board is counting that as a third "no" vote.

Dr. Johnson's new contract will now keep her as superintendent through June of 2026.

She is the first African American female superintendent for Tulsa Public Schools. She's also a former student of the district.

The TPS board met starting at 6 p.m. Monday, and went into executive session to discuss approving Dr. Johnson as superintendent.

News On 6 spoke with Dr. Johnson after the meeting. She said she's ready to get started immediately working to meet with students, teachers, and improving the district overall.

"I'm looking forward to re-writing the narrative right now that Tulsa Public Schools has associated. And I look forward to making sure the great things happening in our schools, that those things are known on a more consistent basis. And in addition, acknowledging the challenges that we have before us and ways we are tackling those challenges," Dr. Johnson said.

Dr. Johnson said now that she's officially superintendent, she can move forward with hiring for positions like a deputy superintendent, a chief of staff, and a chief financial officer.

"I have every intention of continuing to collaborate with our state. We need our State Department of Education. It's our state department and Tulsa Public Schools working together and collaboratively that's going to get us where we need to go," Dr. Johnson said in an interview with News On 6's LeAnne Taylor.

Related Story: Dr. Ebony Johnson On Her Appointment As TPS Superintendent

She also said she's grateful to the school board for choosing her to do this job.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum celebrated Dr. Johnson's appointment in a Facebook post. Read his statement below:

A leader can’t recruit and retain a great team if that leader has no job stability. This vote was a big step forward for all who want to see a rapid improvement in outcomes for Tulsa Public Schools. I am so grateful for the wisdom of the locally-elected board members who have now empowered Dr. Ebony Johnson to build the team she needs around her to achieve the excellence so many expect.

Superintendent Johnson has my full support as she moves forward in this new role. Tulsans have a long history of rallying around those with a great challenge before them. I am hopeful that everyone who wants to see Tulsa Public Schools be better in the future will give her that same support.

Click the picture below to read Dr. Johnson's response to statements made by State Superintendent Ryan Walters:

On Tuesday, State Superintendent Ryan Walters released the following statement regarding Tulsa Public Schools:

“Despite months of assurances from TPS that it would take seriously the profoundly troubling issues in the district, the TPS board showed the exact opposite last night,” said Walters. “While I welcome a close partnership with Dr. Johnson moving forward, 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. The State Board of Education and I expect TPS to make decisions that prioritize student outcomes and not simply be a continued rubber stamp for the unions.”

Walters said TPS has been given the following goals:

1. At least 50% of TPS students must score basic or above on the 2024 OSTP ELA assessment or increase the amount of students who score basic or above by 5%.
2. All teachers and school administrators will be trained in an OSDE-approved Science of Reading model
3. 12 of the 18 current MRI-designated sites will not be redesignated

"The financial issues that have plagued the district demand immediate attention. Excessive spending on external vendors has led to a lack of fiscal controls and questionable purchasing quality. The Board has expressed these concerns to TPS for months, yet substantive efforts to address the district's finances remain lacking. A clear strategy is essential and student outcomes must be prioritized in the budget."