Tulsa Public Schools had to slash its current-year budget by more than $4 million after the state declared it was in “revenue failure.” The district has already reduced its budget for fiscal year 2017 by $13.5 million, partly by eliminating 270 jobs.

Patti Ferguson-Palmer, president of the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association, applauded Gist and said she had expected the gesture.

“After getting to know Dr. Gist, I would have been very surprised and disappointed if she had taken it,” Ferguson-Palmer said. “I believe she sincerely wants what’s best for the district, and I applaud her for making that sacrifice. It shows teachers she’s sincere and here for the right reasons.”

First, the board met in a closed-door, executive session with Gist to review the tallied results of scores each board member provided individually and anonymously for a variety of performance indicators. The board’s attorney tabulated the results.

The process is the same one used for the previous three Tulsa superintendents.

If Gist’s composite score is a 3 or higher on a five-point scale, her contract provides for the board to authorize the $25,000 bonus.