New Deer Creek superintendent has long history in education

The setting may be different, but the job is a familiar one for Tippens, who spent the past six years as superintendent of El Reno public schools and worked in the district more than 20 years as a teacher, principal and administrator.

Tippens resigned from El Reno in January, when school board members were in conflict over extending her contract.

The board ultimately voted 3-2 to extend her contract, but Tippens said she thought it was “in the best interest of the district” that she resign.

El Reno received a “C” grade from the state's A-F grading system, which has received much scrutiny from administrators across the state.

Deer Creek Board of Education President David Miller said the board was aware of the situation surrounding Tippens' departure from El Reno but was not fazed by the details.

“We were looking at the tremendous background she possesses,” he said. “The positive things she brings far outweigh anything else we've heard.”

The state Senate is considering a bill that would make changes to the grading system in an attempt to more accurately portray a district's performance.

Tippens said she doesn't think the state's grade was a fair depiction of the district's teachers or progress made at El Reno under her leadership.

El Reno board members Justin Martin and Dorrie Parrott, who voted against Tippens' contract extension, could not be reached for comment.