Former Tulsa school board members appeal superintendent hiring lawsuit

Jennettie Marshall and E'Lena Ashley take case to Oklahoma Supreme Court after earlier summary judgment

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and brushstrokes in shades of blue, green, and orange, conceptually representing the tensions and complexities surrounding the superintendent hiring dispute.The legal battle over Tulsa's superintendent hiring process exposes deeper divisions within the local education community.Today in Tulsa

Former Tulsa Public Schools board members Jennettie Marshall and E'Lena Ashley have filed an appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court after a summary judgment earlier this year ended their lawsuit over the hiring of Ebony Johnson as the district's new superintendent.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing tensions and legal battles over the hiring process for top school district leadership positions, which can become politically charged issues in local communities.

The details

Marshall and Ashley filed the original lawsuit claiming the school board violated open meeting laws and failed to properly vet Johnson before appointing her as the new superintendent. A lower court judge granted summary judgment in favor of the school district, ending the lawsuit. Now the former board members are asking the state's highest court to review the case.

  • The lawsuit was filed earlier this year.
  • A summary judgment ended the case in the lower court in April 2026.
  • The appeal to the Oklahoma Supreme Court was filed on April 15, 2026.

The players

Jennettie Marshall

A former member of the Tulsa Public Schools board of education.

E'Lena Ashley

An outgoing member of the Tulsa Public Schools board of education.

Ebony Johnson

The newly hired superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools.

Tulsa Public Schools

The school district in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must ensure that the hiring process for our district's top leadership positions is transparent and follows all applicable laws.”

— Jennettie Marshall, Former TPS board member

“The board's actions raise serious concerns that need to be addressed by the courts.”

— E'Lena Ashley, Outgoing TPS board member

What’s next

The Oklahoma Supreme Court will now consider whether to take up the appeal filed by Marshall and Ashley. If the court agrees to hear the case, it could lead to a review of the lower court's summary judgment decision.

The takeaway

This case underscores the political tensions and legal battles that can arise over the hiring of top school district leadership, as community members and outgoing board members seek to ensure transparency and proper vetting of superintendent candidates.