Audit of Tulsa Public Schools Delayed at District’s Request

TULSA, Okla. – Oklahoma State Auditor Cindy Byrd postponed the release of forensic audit results for Tulsa Public Schools during a news conference on February 11, 2025, after the district requested a delay. The postponement follows the invocation of Oklahoma Statute Title 70, section 5-127.1, which permits school districts to hold off on releasing audit findings for up to two weeks.

Byrd expressed her surprise at the request, stating, “In my 28 years of conducting government audits, including countless school districts, no one has ever invoked this statute.” The specifics of the audit findings remain unclear, but they are believed to center on the financial practices of the district and potential mismanagement of funds.

After the press conference, Tulsa Public Schools released a statement clarifying their position. The statement indicated that representatives from Tulsa Public Schools and the Oklahoma State Auditor’s Office had met earlier to discuss the audit’s anticipated findings.

“The district did not pursue any legal action in response to the state auditor’s scheduled media appearance or report release,” the statement read. “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.”

While the district has yet to see the full audit report, it emphasized its commitment to collaboration with the auditor’s office: “Tulsa Public Schools has welcomed the opportunity to revise and improve our practices and procedures and will continue to operate in a spirit of continuous improvement.”

The audit was initiated following Governor Kevin Stitt’s call for an investigation in 2022, after allegations of mismanagement within the district. This scrutiny intensified after the arrest and conviction of a former administrator, who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $600,000 from the school system.

Fletcher, the former administrator, was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison. The ongoing audit is expected to reveal more about financial operations and governance within Tulsa Public Schools.