Oklahoma's new State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Lindel Fields, has detailed an ambitious 15-month roadmap aimed at restoring stability and improving communication within the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt, Fields outlined his top priorities and a multi-phase plan during his first press conference since taking office.
His agenda focuses on three key areas: early childhood literacy, teacher recruitment and retention, and ensuring graduates are prepared for careers. Fields emphasized a non-political approach, stating his goal is to create a solid foundation for his successor.
Key Takeaways
- Lindel Fields, the new State Superintendent, has a 15-month term to lead the OSDE.
- His top three priorities are literacy, teacher recruitment and retention, and career readiness.
- A three-phase plan will focus on communication, relationship building, and a review of departmental operations.
- A new four-person "turnaround team" has been appointed to oversee critical areas like finance, instruction, and communications.
- Fields plans an internal review of finances and contracts, adopting a "trust but verify" methodology.
A Three-Phase Strategy for Stability
Superintendent Fields presented a structured plan to guide his work through early 2026. The strategy is divided into three distinct phases, each with specific objectives designed to rebuild trust and operational efficiency within the department.
Phase One: The First 10 Days
The initial phase centers on immediate action to improve communication and transparency. Fields announced plans for a special State Board of Education meeting to address pending teacher certifications and student transfers. This period will also be used to clarify staff roles and formally introduce his new leadership team.
Phase Two: The First 30 Days
The second phase is dedicated to building relationships across the state. Fields intends to launch a statewide listening tour to meet directly with educators, administrators, and district leaders. According to his plan, this outreach will be supplemented with surveys to gather direct feedback from teachers and staff, ensuring their perspectives are heard.
Phase Three: The First 90 Days
The final structured phase involves a comprehensive review of the department's operations. Key activities include:
- Assessing all ongoing lawsuits involving the OSDE.
- Evaluating current vendor contracts to ensure fiscal responsibility.
- Processing a backlog of outstanding open records requests.
- Identifying and addressing any organizational misalignments within the agency.
A Focused 15-Month Timeline
Lindel Fields has a limited 15-month tenure before the next election cycle. He compared his timeline to a famous construction project to illustrate his commitment to rapid progress. "The Empire State Building was built in 14 months," Fields said. "We can make a difference in 15."
Core Educational Priorities
Beyond the structural changes, Fields identified three fundamental educational goals that will drive his administration's policies. He framed these priorities as essential for the future success of Oklahoma's students.
"Every child deserves the gift of literacy at a young age," Fields stated, highlighting early reading skills as his primary focus.
His second priority is to address the ongoing challenges of teacher recruitment and retention. He acknowledged that while compensation is a legislative matter, his team will review internal policies and administrative barriers, such as testing requirements for out-of-state educators, that may discourage qualified professionals from working in Oklahoma.
Finally, Fields emphasized the importance of career readiness for high school graduates. The goal is to ensure that students leave the K-12 system with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college or the workforce.
Introducing the New Leadership Team
To execute his vision, Fields has assembled a new "turnaround team" composed of experienced professionals from public education and career technology sectors. Each member is tasked with overseeing a critical component of the OSDE's operations.
The team includes:
- Dr. Romel Mollett-Poland: Responsible for instruction, assessment, and teacher recruitment and retention initiatives.
- Kristen Stevens: Will manage finances, operations, compliance, and federal programs. She is tasked with preparing a new budget for board approval by October 23.
- Dr. Megan Oftedal: Set to lead data analytics and the integration of artificial intelligence, with a focus on providing real-time data to support educators.
- Tara Martinez: Appointed as communications advisor, with the mission of rebuilding communication channels and enhancing transparency.
Addressing Past Issues and Building Trust
When questioned about the previous administration, Fields confirmed that while there are no immediate plans for a full external audit, a thorough internal review of the department's finances is underway. This review will examine vendor contracts and overall spending.
A Commitment to Fiscal Oversight
Fields stressed that all financial decisions will be made with the interests of taxpayers and students in mind. "Our method right now is trust but verify," he explained, signaling a cautious and deliberate approach to fiscal management.
Improving teacher morale is another central element of his mission. Fields directly addressed Oklahoma's educators during his press conference, promising to create a more supportive environment.
"We value you... you are the heartbeat of education across Oklahoma," he said.
His team plans to use surveys and other feedback mechanisms to ensure teachers' voices are included in the decision-making process. This approach is part of a broader effort to restore confidence in the OSDE among educators and the public.
Fields, who came out of retirement for the role, described himself as "very well rested" and ready to "sprint for 15 months." He concluded by reiterating that his work is not politically motivated. "None of the next 15 months will be about convincing anyone to vote for me," Fields affirmed. "We’re going to focus on education and leave behind a strong foundation for whoever comes next."
