Byrd had summoned reporters to the Oklahoma History Center to dish out the results of an investigative audit into Tulsa Public Schools.
Gov. Kevin Stitt called for an investigation of the school district in 2022, following what he said was a mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic response, former superintendent Deborah Gist’s misspending of tax dollars and violation of House Bill 1775, Oklahoma’s ban on critical race theory being taught in grade school.
But before detailing the findings, Byrd stopped the press conference because of what she called a “last-minute legal maneuver” by the Tulsa school district. She cited the district's invocation of a state statute (70 O.S., 5-127.1), which allowed for a two-week delay in publishing the audit while involved parties discussed the findings.
“The audit is complete and the findings are significant, but you're not allowed to see it,” Byrd said. “If you are wondering why this audit took two years to complete, it is because of the constant obstacles that TPS administrators employed to delay and mislead our investigators.”
Hours later, Tulsa Public School District officials sent a response to Byrd's claims to reporters, saying they plan to clarify what the auditor's team found over the next two weeks.
"During that time, a school district under audit may work in cooperation with the State Auditor’s office to offer any clarifying information or additional context that would be important for its stakeholders to have a full understanding of the facts," the provided statement reads. "Additionally, the district does not have the full audit report, has not seen it, and does not make the decision when (or when not) to release it."
The district communications general email did not attribute the statement to anyone in its administration. Byrd said no other school district has invoked the statute since she’s been in office.
The audit findings will be the latest in a long political drama between Tulsa Public Schools, Stitt, and State Superintendent Ryan Walters. Byrd has investigated all three parties for misspending at one time or another.
