Steve Metzer

Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer

Mike Simons

Tulsa World Photojournalist

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sworn in on Tuesday as Oklahoma’s new superintendent of public instruction, Lindel Fields said he is planning a 15-month “sprint” to put schools and the Oklahoma State Department of Education in better shape for the next elected superintendent, who will take office in January 2027.

Fields, who had a 30-year career in education and served as superintendent of the Tri County Technology Center in Bartlesville from 2009 to 2021, was appointed last Thursday to take the state superintendent’s role after the resignation of Ryan Walters.

“I told the governor, and I will tell you, I will sprint for 15 months,” Fields told reporters hours after he was formally sworn in as Gov. Kevin Sti

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