Chicken-Fried News: Barresi bandit

Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi always said she wanted to help Oklahomans become career-ready. In her final days on the job, Barresi approved a series of Department of Education hires to deliver on that promise.

“All told, her new hires total about $653,000 in base salary costs, and the salary increases that accompanied promotions, not counting one executive’s unknown bump in pay, total $62,000,” reported Tulsa World. “[In one day alone], five new employees with salaries totaling $290,500 were hired.”

This isn’t the first time Barresi drew criticism for hiring decisions since last year’s Republican primary defeat.

“[She faced] calls for her immediate resignation in late September when she created a new position and hired the husband of her general counsel, Kim Richey, to fill it,” Tulsa World reported.

Barresi’s tenure as state superintendent ended officially last week.