Superintendent Barresi resists calls to resign

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Janet Barresi says she has no plans to step down, despite calls for her resignation from a member of the state Board of Education and a state legislator.

Retired General Leo Baxter, a member of the board, told Barresi during a Thursday board meeting that he believes her leadership has become "toxic," and asked her to step down.

Republican state Representative Jason Smalley also called for Barresi’s resignation during the meeting.

Both Baxter and Smalley criticized Barresi’s decision to hire a new assistant superintendent who is married to the department’s general counsel.

Barresi was soundly defeated in the GOP primary in June, but her four-year term in office continues until January.