Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed Lindel Fields of Tulsa, a longtime CareerTech educator, as Oklahoma’s new state superintendent.

Fields replaces State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, who resigned mid-term to become CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, an alternative to traditional teachers unions.

But in naming Fields state superintendent, Stitt took things one step further.

He also called on lawmakers to give Oklahoma voters the chance to amend the Oklahoma Constitution and make all future state superintendents a gubernatorial appointee.

“In my last seven years, it has been clear that the operation of this agency and the well-being of Oklahoma’s students have taken a back seat to the political ambitions of the individual who holds this position,” Stitt said.

“At best, the agenda of the governor and the superintendent are out of alignment. At worst, the superintendent has actively campaigned to unseat the governor. Our students are too precious of a resource to leave to the whims of politicians. Now is the perfect time to consider depoliticizing the Department of Education by allowing future governors to appoint the role of superintendent.”

Although governors are expected to address state education problems and include school issues in their campaigns, their ability to enact any changes endorsed by voters can be impeded by the fact that the state superintendent is separately elected and has oversight of state schools.

At times, the state superintendent can be actively at odds with a governor.

That was the case for much of the tenure of former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, who served from 2015 to 2023 and was often at odds with both former Gov. Mary Fallin and Stitt. Hofmeister eventually ran for governor as a Democrat, challenging Stitt in 2022. (Stitt won easily).

While Stitt championed reopening of schools during COVID, Hofmeister sought to impose draconian mandates on public schools that would have shut down schools when only a relative handful of people in some counties tested positive for COVID.

Stitt’s appointees to the State Board of Education rejected Hofmeister’s plan and schools were allowed to reopen based on local officials’ assessments. Data subsequently demonstrated that if Hofmeister’s plan had been mandated, the state would have seen prolonged school closures across most of Oklahoma for much of the following two years.

Academic outcomes in Oklahoma schools plummeted throughout Hofmeister’s tenure, based on National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) results and ACT testing. While COVID played a role, the decline preceded COVID and continued after COVID, despite a massive increase in state funding.

Notably, NAEP testing showed that Oklahoma reading results in fourth grade were on a dramatic upswing prior to Hofmeister’s election and exceeded the national average score before she took the helm of the state school system.

Although Walters began as a Stitt ally, the two were at odds by the end of Walters’ tenure. Academic results under Walters continued to decline, albeit at a slower pace than under Hofmeister.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, expressed support for allowing Oklahoma voters to consider making the state superintendent an appointee.

“I continue to support as I always have the governor’s push to make the State Superintendent of Public Instruction being an appointed position,” Hilbert said.

“Education is one of the most important issues we tackle at the state Capitol, and having a single point of accountability to the public is critical to making real change in any system.”

Hilbert said he and state Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, will file a resolution next legislative session asking the people of Oklahoma to consider this change.

“Students, teachers and families deserve accountability and a system that prioritizes results,” Hilbert said. “Our kids deserve it.”

If the state superintendent becomes a gubernatorial appointee, that individual can be replaced in less than four years should performance not meet expectations.

Democrats panned Stitt’s call to depoliticize the superintendent’s office by making it appointed.

“I disagree with putting forth legislation to make the Superintendent of Public Education a governor-appointed position,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson of Oklahoma City.

“If we want to see the changes needed to our public education system, it should be up to the public to choose and up to the Legislature to listen.”

“I will strongly oppose any effort to turn the superintendent into a governor-appointed position rather than one elected by the people,” said state Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa.  

Because Walters resigned mid-term, Stitt had the rare opportunity to appoint a state superintendent this year without changing the Oklahoma Constitution.

“It’s a new day for Oklahoma students,” Stitt said. “I want us to be top 10 in everything we do, and we need a top 10 education system to achieve that. Lindel will give the agency a fresh start and get it back to its mission of producing top-tier students. I’m excited to appoint my first superintendent of public instruction, and I know great things are ahead.”

Fields is a veteran educator with more than 30 years of experience in Oklahoma’s CareerTech system. He began his career in 1991 as an educator at the Dick Conner Correctional Center and was quickly promoted to Director of Instruction, overseeing correctional training programs statewide. He later served as Assistant Director at Central Tech before joining Tri County Technology Center in 1999, where he became Superintendent & CEO in 2009. Under his leadership, Tri County Tech earned national recognition for innovation, student achievement and organizational culture. Fields retired in 2021. He is also the founder of Culture Coach, a company that helps businesses and schools nationwide build strong cultures to improve retention, efficiency and outcomes.

“I am endlessly grateful to Governor Stitt for his trust,” Fields said.

“As his first appointed superintendent of public instruction, I look forward to implementing his vision for the education of Oklahoma students. We are going to turn this department around and equip our students with the skills they need to make Oklahoma the best state it can be.”

Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, praised Fields’ appointment, as did Hilbert.

“Lindel Fields has dedicated his life to education, workforce development and ensuring Oklahomans have the skills they need to succeed,” Paxton said.

“His proven record of leadership and innovation in CareerTech will bring valuable experience and vision to the role of state superintendent. I am confident he will serve our students, teachers and families with distinction. The Senate stands ready to work with the new state superintendent to get him up to speed quickly, while supporting him as he takes on this important responsibility. Education is the foundation of our state’s future, and I look forward to assisting him in any way I can to strengthen opportunities for Oklahoma students.”