TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa Public Schools board members voted to pursue legal action against former employee Chris Hudgins June 9.
A state audit accuses him of running a personal consulting business on district time and using Tulsa Public Schools resources to run the business.
WATCH: TPS board of education votes to pursue legal action against former employee
Board members deliberated for about two hours to come up with solid decisions.
Vice President Calvin Moniz said it was important for him to make sure staff, students and families know the district will have their backs.
“I hope that the public will take away that we are an organization that can be trusted, that we can admit when we're wrong, but we can also make the decisions to do the right thing and move forward," he said. “We have to be active and consistent in pursuing and recuperating those tax dollars that were potentially misspent.”
Another topic on the special meeting agenda had to do with pending claims against the district by the Oklahoma Teachers’ Retirement System.
“The $1.2 million is a settlement that we agree with OTRS," said Moniz. "Pending the execution of that settlement and friendly hearing in court.”
Previous coverage: Tulsa school board raises concerns with district audit findings
Oklahoma State Auditor Cindy Byrd dug into the district's financial records, policies and regulations between 2015 and 2023.
Her findings showed misappropriations of funds, a culture of non-compliance and a lack of transparency.
The TPS board in February of 2025 voted to accept the resignation of TPS employee Chris Hudgins.
Hudgins was named in the audit as a manager of the district's bond budgets.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE>>> AUDIT UNDER SEAL: State completes TPS audit, but state law keeps results secret for up to two weeks
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