Less than halfway through her current four-year term in elected office, Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education Chairwoman Paula Lewis has resigned after moving her residence outside the district’s boundaries.
Vice Chairwoman Lori Bowman, who represents District 2 in OKCPS, will chair the board’s meetings in an interim capacity, with a special election likely to be set to fill the remainder of Lewis’ term. In February 2025, Lewis defeated Niah Spriggs and Jan Barrick to win a third four-year term as chairperson, a position elected by voters across the entire district.
“Serving the students, families and employees of Oklahoma City Public Schools has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Lewis said in a press release. “While this decision was not an easy one, it is the right one for my family as we begin a new chapter of life. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside dedicated board members, superintendents, educators, employees and community partners over the past ten and a half years. I have always believed every child deserves access to an excellent public education, and it has been a privilege to help advance that mission. Although my service on the board is coming to an end, my commitment to Oklahoma City Public Schools and to public education remains as strong as ever.”
Lewis was first elected to the OKCPS District 4 seat by default in 2016, and her decision to depart the board after 10 years now leaves Bowman and District 1 member Carole Thompson as the longest-tenured members. Each joined the board 2021.
During her tenure as chairperson, Lewis occasionally grappled with other board members over who was allowed to speak publicly about issues facing the district. Disagreements with former Superintendent Sean McDaniel about bond projects and charter school strategies ultimately spurred his February 2024 resignation, for which he cited “irreconcilable” differences with the board.
About three months later, the board hired Jamie Polk as superintendent, who praised Lewis in the district’s press release Tuesday.
“Paula Lewis’ dedicated service over the past decade has fundamentally strengthened Oklahoma City Public Schools,” Polk said. “Her strategic leadership and passionate advocacy for our students leave a lasting, positive mark on our entire district. While we will miss her guidance on the Board of Education, we are profoundly grateful for her years of partnership. We wish Chair Lewis and her family nothing but the best in their next chapter.”
New District 7 board member Galilea Martinez also praised Lewis in a statement.
“I am grateful for Chair Paula Lewis’ years of service to Oklahoma City Public Schools and wish her and her family all the best,” Martinez said. “I look forward to working with our board as we continue to advance student-focused outcomes across the district.”
OKCPS’ press release announcing Lewis’ resignation included comments from 10 people, including OKC Mayor David Holt.
“Paula Lewis has been a selfless and dedicated public servant during a time of great change and advancement in OKCPS,” Holt said. “The approval of major and historic infrastructure commitments, important modernization of the district, the hiring of talented superintendents, and the navigation of COVID-19 are just a few of the things that have happened during Paula’s historic tenure. I am so grateful for her leadership and her willingness to serve our city’s kids. She leaves an important and impactful legacy.”
The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Monday, Aug. 17.
