Oklahoma – Governor Kevin Stitt issued a statement following the release of the audit findings for Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) conducted by State Auditor Cindy Byrd. Governor Stitt had requested the audit in 2022, and the results confirmed suspicions of significant financial misconduct within the district.
“The release of this audit is deeply troubling,” Governor Stitt remarked. “It confirms what many of us believed—where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Tulsa Public Schools engaged in gross financial misconduct, and this cannot be allowed to happen again.”
The audit results revealed a series of serious violations, including misuse of nonprofit partnerships, unauthorized teacher training programs, fraud, embezzlement, and other financial mismanagement. Some of the most significant findings include:
– Over $1 million spent on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
– More than $500,000 in unauthorized bonuses paid to TPS administrators.
– Nearly $5 million in reimbursements made with federal COVID relief dollars that lacked proper documentation.
– Over $5 million spent on goods and services, potentially violating HB 1775, which limits certain educational practices in public schools.
Governor Stitt had originally called for the audit after concerns were raised by parents, teachers, and school board members about TPS’s financial practices. In his 2022 statement, he had expressed concerns over possible violations of HB 1775, the need for transparency in spending, and accountability for taxpayer dollars.
Stitt emphasized that the release of the audit findings was only the beginning. He called on the Attorney General to take immediate action and pursue charges where appropriate. “This is just the first step in holding wrongdoers accountable,” said Stitt. “We cannot allow this type of financial misconduct to happen again in Oklahoma.”
The audit serves as a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to ensure accountability and transparency in public education spending in Oklahoma.
Governor Kevin Stitt responds to Tulsa Public Schools audit findings, calls for immediate action following financial misconduct revelations
