OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A former key official at the Oklahoma Department of Education says he's been fired by Republican state Superintendent Janet Barresi's chief of staff.

Jack Herron was the agency's assistant state superintendent for financial services. He told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Barresi's chief of staff, Jennifer Carter, dismissed him Monday.

Herron says his firing came shortly after the state Board of Education granted Barresi personnel authority over the agency. He says he received no advance notice and was escorted out of the agency's building.

Herron is planning a news conference on Thursday, during which he says he'll address what he calls a "leadership vacuum" at the agency. He originally was hired by Barresi's predecessor, Democrat Sandy Garrett.

Agency spokesman Damon Gardenhire says he can't comment on the situation.