Troubled Oklahoma school hires interim superintendent, defying state

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Board members of a southwest Oklahoma City school district have defied the state Board of Education and hired an interim superintendent. The Western Heights school board voted 3-1 on Thursday to name assistant Superintendent Kim Race as interim superintendent, replacing Mannix Barnes.

Barnes’ superintendent certification was suspended by the state board last month after it had placed the district on probation in April for concerns including financial management, heavy staff losses, and poor academic performance.

The state board took over the district on Monday and on Tuesday deputy state Superintendent Monty Guthrie was named to head the district for the next year.