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GREENWOOD Dist. – The Tulsa Public School Board elections, set for Tuesday, April 2, 2024, are sparking widespread interest. Three critical seats—Districts 2, 5, and 6—are up for grabs in these nonpartisan races. However, the outcome could profoundly influence Tulsa Public Schools’ (TPS) future and approach to education. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Significance of TPS’s School Board Elections
This election is crucial, largely due to the potential ideological shift toward right-wing policies, mirroring those of Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s controversial Superintendent of Public Instruction. Walters has notably critiqued TPS for its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, even threatening its accreditation over its teachings on race.
The core of this contention is State Bill 1775, enacted on May 5, 2021, which complicates discussions on racial issues in education and penalizes DEI efforts. Thus, the election’s results could signal a significant turn in educational policy at the local level, especially regarding the instruction on race and diversity.
With the stakes at their peak, the Tulsa community is closely monitoring the elections, aware that the new School Board composition could redefine the educational landscape for the foreseeable future.
The Impact on Tulsa’s Educational Landscape, Students and Families
Candidates are universally advocating for better academic outcomes, yet opinions diverge on treating all students and their families with respect. The protection and support of 2SLGBTQ+ students have become a focal point. Oklahoma has been at the forefront, introducing bills that restrict 2SLGBTQ+ Oklahomans’ rights, affecting their healthcare, school inclusion, and self-expression.
These legislative efforts include limitations on classroom discussions about gender and sexual orientation, gender identity-based pronoun restrictions, and a ban on drag shows in public spaces. Notably, they’ve also led to laws mandating bathroom use based on biological sex and limiting transgender students’ sports participation.
Who Could Shift the Direction of Tulsa Public Schools?
District 2
In District 2, Calvin Muniz, endorsed by the outgoing Diamond Marshall and previous member Judith Barber, competes with Kandee Washington. Muniz supports the current superintendent, Ebony Johnson, and advocates for local school district control. Candidate Calvin Muniz is endorsed by Oklahomans for Public Education and Pro TPS (formerly known as Protect TPS). Pro TPS represents thousands of parents who want local control and common sense governing.
Kandee Washington receives backing from TPS board member Dr. Jennettie Marshall, representing District 3. It’s important to note that Dr. Marshall is not related to another board member, Diamond Marshall. Dr. Jennettie Marshall’s political affiliations include alliances with figures such as Ryan Walters and E’Lena Ashley, indicating a strategic positioning that appears to aim at displacing Dr. Ebony Johnson.
Moreover, Dr. Marshall perceives Johnson as a continuation of the agenda set by the previous TPS superintendent, Deborah Gist. Some interpret support for Washington as part of an effort to remove Dr. Johnson, who has achieved notable progress since being appointed by the Tulsa School Board last December. This move has reportedly frustrated Dr. Marshall, who believes that the board did not adhere to the correct procedures, bypassing the Open Meetings Act and undermining community involvement and transparency. The community, however, contacted their democratically elected TPS board representatives and advocated for Dr. Johnson’s appointment.
District 5
District 5 sees incumbent John Croisant facing off against Teresa Pena, a retired TPS educator with extensive experience. Candidate Croisant is endorsed by Oklahomans for Public Education and Pro TPS. Croisant also supports Dr. Ebony Johnson and local control.
Pena’s campaign, spearheaded by a Republican political strategist, Charity Marcus, known for supporting right-wing candidates, has stirred controversy, especially given that Tulsa’s Moms for Liberty chapter supports her.
Moms for Liberty supports Ryan Walters and his extreme initiatives, such as his advocacy for “1775.” They regularly use the language of a similar danger level, which has jeopardized the safety of LGBTQ students and teachers, making them vulnerable to violent verbal and physical attacks.
District 6
The competition for District 6 is between Sarah Smith, who focuses on enhancing educational quality and family involvement, and Maria Seidler, a supporter of legislation 1775 and is supported by Moms for Liberty. Seidler is also the legal representative of TPS board members Dr. Marshall and E’Lena Ashley.
Meanwhile, Smith’s campaign emphasizes recruiting high-quality educators, transparency, and community collaboration to address TPS’s challenges. Candidate Sarah Smith is backed by Oklahomans for Public Education and Pro TPS.
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The Bigger Picture
As Tulsans head to the polls for these school board elections, the implications of this election extend beyond the city’s boundaries. It represents a critical juncture for public education in Oklahoma, spotlighting the debate over DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives.
The protection of 2SLGBTQ+ students and the overarching direction of Tulsa’s educational system are at the forefront of this discussion. With community eyes set on the future, the 2024 Tulsa Public School Board April 2nd election represents a defining moment. It stands as a pivotal point for democracy and education within Tulsa Public Schools.