Kevin Stitt announced a new beginning for public education in Oklahoma on Thursday with ties back to Bartlesville. Kevin Stitt formally announced Lindel Fields, the former superintendent of Tri County Tech in Bartlesville, is now the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Fields replaces Ryan Walters, whose controversial tenure as state superintendent ended earlier this week. In an emotional statement, Fields says the appointment as state superintendent is one that is deeply personal to him. Dr. Tammie Strobel is Fields' successor as superintendent at Tri County Tech.