“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.
This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2015.