Thank goodness for a lack of political aspirations and a transition team
Everyone should watch the video of Governor Kevin Stitt's announcementS today! It was a great show but also represented a plan of action that Oklahoma has long needed to address its ongoing crisis in public education. While I often do not agree with our governor, I think the fact that he's not running for office has improved his planning and presentation skills. I was afraid he was just going to announce the appointment, which would have been woefully insufficient, but his plan could make a difference for #Oklahoma public schools. đź’ś
Newly appointed State Superintendent Lindel Fields hugs his daughter, a student at Eisenhower International School in Tulsa, after his remarks at the governor’s news conference hosted by TPS on Oct. 2, 2025.
So, this evening, I am sending prayers to the governor's new Turnaround Team, who will be directly involved in the transition of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) under the leadeship of State Superintendent Lindel Fields (links to KJRH 2News).
Gov. Stitt’s transition team includes:
Connie Reilly, new director of the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA), president of the Okemah Chamber of Commerce and an educator in Okemah Public Schools since 1971
Kristen Stephens, Chief Financial Officer at Tulsa Public Schools (TPS)
Romel Muex-Pullen, Metro Tech Associate Superintendent of Quality & Strategy Management
Megan Oftedal, current executive director of the OEQA
Tom Newell, governor's chief of staff and former State Representative ("to help with the transition")
Tara Thompson, Chief Communications Officer, Broken Arrow Public Schools
Nellie Tayloe Sanders, currently Secretary of Education and Chair of the Commission on Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA)
AND Gov. Stitt announced Dan Hamlin (Oklahoma Center for Education Policy, University of Oklahoma) will be Oklahoma’s new cabinet Secretary of Education. He also said two new State Board of Education members are being appointed: Wes Nofire (the governor’s Native American Liaison) and Brian Bobeck (Oklahoma’s Director of the Office Faith Based Initiatives and a former member of the State Board of Education).
Yes, I was glad to learn that Supt. Fields has no plans to run for State Superintendent of Public Instruction next year. We need some serious focus on the challenges evident at the OSDE. Today’s news conference was one of the best dog-and-ponies I've seen in years but also made me hopeful for our schools; and I haven't been able to say that in a long time.
