Andrea Eger
Tulsa World Staff Writer
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters recently branded teachers unions “terrorists.” During May state board of education meeting he launched a video campaign targeting the National Education Association and its state affiliate, Oklahoma Education Association.
OKLAHOMA CITY — State Superintendent Ryan Walters is launching what he called a “public awareness” campaign against the nation’s largest teachers union and its state affiliate, he announced Thursday.
During the monthly Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting, Walters had a newly created video shown contrasting his statements during a recent appearance on a Fox News television program with convention statements from National Education Association President Rebecca Pringle and Executive Director Kim Anderson, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance at the NEA event.
Interspersed throughout the new video from the Oklahoma State Department of Education were brief video clips of an unidentified individual speaking about second-graders in her class choosing nongender-specific pronouns for themselves, of an interview with Maia Kobabe, author of a memoir called, “Gender Queer,” and another adult, a former El Paso, Texas, teacher, speaking about her preference that child sex abusers be referred to as “minor attracted.”
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Earlier this month, Walters called teachers’ unions “terrorist organizations” in a heated legislative hearing at the Capitol.
There was an overflow crowd for Thursday morning’s state board meeting. About 40 individuals could not be accommodated in the boardroom seating area, so they listened as best they could from a hallway outside.
At the conclusion of the video being displayed, Erika Wright, president of the Noble Public Schools Foundation and founder of the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition, called out from the hallway: “Shame on you!”
Recent State Board of Education meetings have drawn political supporters of Walters to sign up and offer public comment applauding his ongoing rhetoric decrying public school teachers for liberal and Marxist “indoctrination” of students and certain books as pornographic.
Since Thursday morning’s meeting occurred after the conclusion of the academic year for most school districts, those voices were joined by some public school teachers and parents who questioned the truthfulness of Walters’ claims as they pertain to Oklahoma public schools and expressed concern about Walters’ “terrorist” remark.
Board member Katie Quebedeaux was absent from Thursday’s meeting, as was Trent Smith, who recently resigned. Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office did not respond when asked when Smith’s replacement might be named.
Shaista Fenwick, who teaches at Moore High School and the University of Oklahoma, said this at Thursday’s state board meeting about the way she feels she has been spoken about as a teacher recently: “It’s not offensive. It’s dehumanizing. And trust and believe our children are watching.”
Stacey Woolley, Tulsa school board president, said she came to speak only as the parent of public school students and not in her capacity as a locally elected school official.
Stacey Woolley asked Ryan Walters to hear her plea as the parent of public school students, not as an elected school official.
She told Walters she believes his words have been “vitriolic, dishonest ... and they are also inciting,” and “in a country where mass shootings have become routine,” they “might just be the spark that light the fire.”
“Listen to my heart from one parent to another. I’m here to ask honestly, to beg — to beg for you for the safety of my children — that you take time to genuinely reflect upon the words you use,” Woolley said to Walters from a lectern.
Another public school parent, Kit Fairchild, did not identify his hometown in his public remarks but said he is a business owner and that he and his wife are the parents of three children, two of whom have already graduated and one who is in high school.
Fairchild accused Walters of being “stuck in campaign mode” and said the aim of his rhetoric is “to get people anxious and nervous and scared.”
Susan Whitehorse Johnson, a Kiowa woman from Elgin, indicated that she is an educator, although she did not specify her title or district.
She said Oklahoma has a history of indoctrinating children when Native children “were taken from this state and put mostly in religious schools.” But she disputed that modern day Oklahoma public school educators are doing any such thing.
“This rhetoric of indoctrination is not happening,” said Whitehorse Johnson.
In just over an hour of public comment, Walters’ supporters turned out in force, as has become the norm.
The Rev. Stephen Hamilton, pastor of St. Monica Catholic Church in Edmond, commended Walters and the other State Board of Education members.
“The vast majority of people in our great state support you and the work you’re doing to provide children and youth with good formation free from ideologies that are not part of education, education whose mission should be to help young minds ascertain the truth.”
Julie Collier told the board she and her family recently relocated back to Oklahoma after living in California for years.
“We are thrilled so far with the education he has received,” she said of her son.
She added that she has worked as an adjunct teacher in their new school district. “His teachers are amazing because they’re a part of the community and they care.”
Collier said she believes that Walters’ statement that teachers unions are terrorists has been taken out of context, but she said she is troubled by the control she believes teachers unions wield here.
“I also understand you’re not calling teachers terrorists — you’re calling the teachers unions terrorists,” she said. “And I will say that the teachers unions are clearly making a very strong move in Oklahoma to take over the education, to take over the politics, to take over every seat from the school boards, to the city, to the county, to the state and the federal government. And that is not their place.
“We need to make sure that our kids are educated and they are not indoctrinated by the politics of the teachers unions. Keep the teachers unions out of the classroom.”
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Rep. John Waldron talks with Ginnie Graham about the consequences of a state superintendent focused on a morality crusade instead of the state department of education budget.
Photos: Thursday's Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting
Erika Wright, Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition, handed out copies of the Bob Goff book, "Everybody Always," at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Kit Fairchild at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Susan White Horse Johnson shows a photo at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
The Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
The Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Teacher Shai Fenwick at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Erika Wright, Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition, handed out copies of the Bob Goff book, "Everybody Always," at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
People in the overflow crowd react as they watch a video of an ad that was presented at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
School librarian Melanie Spoon at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Sandra Valentine at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Ryan Walters, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Ryan Walters, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Stacey Wooley, president of the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education, at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Ryan Walters, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, leads the Oklahoma Flag Salute at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Jennings superintendent Derrick Meagor at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Overflow crowd at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Ryan Walters, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
The Rev. Stephen Hamilton, pastor of St. Monica Catholic Church in Edmond, at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Ryan Walters, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, greets board members at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Board Member Donald Burdick greets with Ryan Walters, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Ashley Daly at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Overflow crowd at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday.
Ryan Walters | Tulsa World coverage of the Oklahoma state superintendent 2015-2023
Read the Tulsa World's coverage of the Oklahoma state superintendent from 2015 to 2023.
Oklahomans first elected State Superintendent Ryan Walters in 2022.
He previously served as the state's education secretary; appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in September 2020.
Before then, Walters was CEO of Every Kid Counts Oklahoma and spent eight years as a high school history teacher in his hometown of McAlester. The Oklahoma State Department of Education named Walters as an Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalist in 2016.
Walters also taught AP U.S. history at Millwood High School and McAlester High School in a pilot course through the Oklahoma Supplemental Online Course Program; and served as the executive director of Oklahoma Achieves, an education initiative of the State Chamber of Oklahoma.
The following is coverage of the superintendent by the Tulsa World newsroom. To send a news tip, contact Staff Writer Andrea Eger at andrea.eger@tulsaworld.com.
Read the Tulsa World's coverage of the Oklahoma state superintendent so far in 2024.
In a sudden about-face, State Superintendent Ryan Walters praised Tulsa’s newly hired superintendent and her plan for raising student test scores. #oklaed
A Moore family has filed a lawsuit over an administrative rule targeting requests to change gender markers on student records. #oklaed
The subpoena was signed by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, along with Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education Chairman Mark McBride, R-Moore, and Committee on Common Education Chairwoman Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon. #oklaed #okleg
Walters blames federal program claim delays on school districts, as well as his predecessor in office. #oklaed
Democrats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives again called for an impeachment inquiry into state Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters.
Tulsa's mayor says he supports the state superintendent's goals for the school district but not the manner in which he is seeking them.
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The governor's comments came after state Superintendent Ryan Walters turned up the volume on his criticism of TPS and its board for hiring Johnson over his objections. #oklaed
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After calling for urgent reforms, State Superintendent Ryan Walters criticized the local school board for hiring a superintendent without a national search. #oklaed
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By a 4-2 vote, Tulsa Public Schools' Board of Education voted Monday night to name Ebony Johnson the district's superintendent through June 30, 2026.
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Ebony Johnson pushed back against Ryan Walters' insertion into "local control" matters at Tulsa Public Schools, accusing him of “misleading or completely false” claims. #oklaed
Stacey Woolley, Rebecka Peterson, Kirt Hartzler, Traci Manuel and Ebony Johnson stood out for standing up for their students and being recognized as some of the best in Oklahoma and the nation.
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The 18 TPS schools targeted include nine elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools and three alternative sites.
Walters wants national search for Tulsa superintendent, warns every option "will be used if the culture of failure continues to be promoted in Tulsa.” #oklaed
According to documents provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, nine districts statewide have applied for money from the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Fund. #oklaed
Taxpayer challengers to a state-sanctioned Catholic charter school in Oklahoma want the judge assigned to the case disqualified over personal ties to one plaintiff and attorneys for one of the defendants. #oklaed
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is considering legal action against a Wisconsin-based group calling for his resignation, he said last week.
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Officials with Tulsa Public Schools are now regrouping in light of additional requirements placed on the district Thursday by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. #oklaed
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Interim Superintendent Ebony Johnson revealed that school closures are under consideration because of pressure to consolidate staff and other resources. #oklaed
Data show Tulsa and Oklahoma City public schools would earn a deficiency, with more than half of students testing at a below-basic level in math and science in 2023. #oklaed
Oklahoma State Board of Education members were told attempts to meet about TPS’ finances haven't been successful. The district is being required to establish new internal controls to prevent embezzlement.
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Tulsa Public Schools leaders say the state’s largest school district has two serious challenges to overcome in its fight to fend off a state takeover. Both are about who’s not showing up for school. #oklaed
The court granted a request by St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School to intervene in the lawsuit. #oklaed
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The local school board has put off talks of a national search or hiring outright Ebony Johnson as Tulsa Public Schools superintendent after eight weeks as interim. #oklaed
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For starters, interim Superintendent Ebony Johnson says, extreme rates of chronic absenteeism since the pandemic are stifling student growth, and the state is holding schools to account. #oklaed
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed the suit Oct. 20 in the Oklahoma Supreme Court in an effort to stop state funds from being used to pay for the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School.
Ryan Walters' administration wants to require alternative education to be in-person. #oklaed
A firm is being sought to provide print and digital op-eds to national outlets, coordinate national events and arrange 10 media bookings per month. #oklaed
Devin Fletcher admitted to embezzling more than $603,000 from Tulsa Public Schools and the Foundation for Tulsa Schools. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
"You are walking us through thought processes here, and that sounds really good, but we want to see the results," #oklaed Superintendent Ryan Walters told the interim TPS leader.
A grant manager who wanted to work to support State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ positions has resigned after only four months on the job at the State Department of Education. #oklaed
Americans United is already involved in a legal challenge by a group of Oklahoma taxpayers to the creation of the nation’s first religious charter school here. #oklaed
For more than an hour Thursday, officials with Tulsa Public Schools laid out the district’s efforts to address concerns raised over the summer during the annual accreditation process. #oklaed
Documents show that an agreement meant to provide additional resources for Booker T. Washington High School’s Chinese language program was terminated a month ago. #oklaed
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Devin Fletcher faces one count of felony wire fraud conspiracy alleging he caused the loss of at least $603,992 to the district and the Foundation for Tulsa Schools. #oklaed
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Just how much influence China or any other foreign adversary has in American schools was not clear from Tuesday's hearing featuring the #oklaed superintendent.
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Oklahoma’s largest school district is grappling with several extraordinary situations that have legal implications. #oklaed
House Democrats had asked Rep. Charles McCall to begin the process of impeaching the state superintendent, accusing him of "defunding and dismantling our public education system." #oklaed
“Our school board is undermining parents and undermining education itself,” said Tulsa school board member E'Lena Ashley. #oklaed
Speaking alongside Lara Trump during a "Tulsarusalem" event Sunday, Walters said: "We're gonna have PragerU in every school in Oklahoma. How about that?” #oklaed
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Officials with Tulsa-area school districts said they have no plans to incorporate PragerU materials from a new partnership announced with the Oklahoma State Department of Education. #oklaed
The #oklaed superintendent also listed more than a dozen donors in one key report with an "x" before the last names, a mistake preventing accurate searches of his contributions. #oklaed
She will receive nine months' salary by Oct. 7 and a one-time annuity contribution in June 2024, Tulsa Public Schools officials said, also sharing contract details for Ebony Johnson. #oklaed
After a Capitol press conference listing complaints about the #oklaed state superintendent, House Speaker Charles McCall said the minority caucus is taking "a 'ready, fire, aim' approach.”
He reportedly filed reports late 14 times during his run for office last year. The Ethics Commission says he failed to meet a March 23 payment deadline for one assessment.
G.T. Bynum said he disagrees with State Superintendent Ryan Walters' "insistence on personally attacking other public servants" but appreciates a more direct line of communication with the #oklaed board.
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"Anything published by the Oklahoma State Department of Education outside what was discussed as part of (Thursday's) motion — we don’t know what to do with it," board President Stacey Woolley said. #oklaed
Union Public Schools informed parents early Friday that more security was added at Ellen Ochoa, Peters, Andersen and Moore elementary schools in response to the bomb threats. #oklaed
“I see this as giving this district the opportunity to succeed,” the state superintendent said of Tulsa schools. “To be clear, if they don’t fix their problems, I will.” #oklaed
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Booker T. Washington students walked out of class to rally, and adults lined the sidewalk outside Hale and East Central in support of Tulsa Public Schools as the #oklaed board met Thursday.
Citing the Chinese language program at a Tulsa high school, Superintendent Ryan Walters wants all state school districts to disclose all monetary or in-kind transactions involving foreign governments. #oklaed
Accreditation probation, which state Superintendent Ryan Walters is eyeing for TPS, was used two years ago as the vehicle for a state takeover of the Western Heights district. #oklaed
Tulsa Public Schools’ Board of Education voted Wednesday night to approve a mutual separation agreement with Superintendent Deborah Gist and to name Ebony Johnson interim superintendent. #oklaed
Union Public Schools Superintendent Kirt Hartzler sent a letter to parents stating a threat targeting the district in general was determined to not be credible. #oklaed
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Soon after news broke Tuesday of Superintendent Deborah Gist's intention to leave Tulsa Public Schools, multiple groups and public officials shared their thoughts about the pending leadership change. #oklaed
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Amid a state takeover threat, the Tulsa Public Schools board will consider naming longtime TPS educator Ebony Johnson interim superintendent Wednesday. #oklaed
With citizens' comments lasting almost two hours, none of the speakers at Monday night's Tulsa school board meeting expressed support for a state takeover or accreditation downgrade. #oklaed
Ryan Walters has used a report of falsified vendor invoices involving a former HR director to accuse Tulsa Public Schools of years of financial mismanagement and scandal. #oklaed
At a student-led town hall Saturday evening, 20 TPS students took the podium over two hours to argue why the district should be accredited. #oklaed
Tulsa's district superintendent says it's no coincidence "and just unacceptable" that Ryan Walters began the campaign in late July rather in spring when the annual accreditation review was completed. #oklaed
The letter was sent to about 200 organizations the day Tulsa Public Schools students returned to class amid uncertainty over whether the district will be accredited for this year. #oklaed
"Some of the older kids are incredibly stressed. We just try to reassure them as parents that we will try to protect and fight for them," Amber Turner said. #oklaed
"TPS students and students across this country have been caught up in a political firefight where they have nothing to gain but so much to lose," a recent grad said.
TPS' board of education passed a resolution Tuesday evening calling on the Oklahoma State Board of Education to honor a recommendation to accredit the district with two deficiencies. #oklaed
The governor said he doesn't think the State Board of Education will overreact to criticisms from State Superintendent Ryan Walters over the district's academic performance and financial management. #oklaed
Meanwhile, TPS Board of Education President Stacey Woolley said her meeting with the mayor last week was not particularly productive.
Tulsa School Board President Stacey Woolley, meanwhile, says TPS students would love to hear support from businesses and community leaders.
Hofmeister said most of the federal money to which Walters seemed to refer involved COVID money that her staff and the federal government were negotiating.
Oklahoma's state superintendent has posted a video blasting what he calls "negligence" and "leadership failures" at Tulsa Public Schools over the past seven years. #oklaed
Mayor G.T. Bynum met with State Superintendent Ryan Walters at City Hall on Wednesday to discuss Tulsa Public Schools.
TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist said she met in-person with state Superintendent Ryan Walters on Friday but has not received any concrete guidance from him. #oklaed
Despite the local board's not being able to take action on the matter, Tulsa Public Schools' accreditation situation colored Monday night's Board of Education meeting. #oklaed
The state superintendent said “no decision has been made” on a state takeover like the one newly underway in Houston. #oklaed
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Despite similarities in demographics and state test results, the Oklahoma state superintendent says he doesn't view the academic outcomes of TPS and Oklahoma City Public Schools as virtually identical. #oklaed
Sen. John Waldron, a former Tulsa teacher, said he gets asked everywhere he goes about the situation: “Everyone is concerned and outraged we would even be at this point." #oklaed
Also, Tulsa native Ellen Buettner was named chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority last week.
In an exclusive interview with @tulsaworld, Oklahoma's State Superintendent addresses Tulsa parents' and teachers' concerns about a possible looming state takeover. #oklaed
In a video posted to Twitter on Wednesday evening, State Superintendent Ryan Walters said Tulsa Public Schools is receiving money from the Chinese government. #oklaed
The state superintendent accused Tulsa Public Schools of “intentional misleading reporting” to the state and dodging a demand for diversity, equity and inclusion spending and program data. #oklaed
Despite a delayed vote on the district's accreditation status, officials with Tulsa Public Schools said Thursday they are remaining focused on the start of the upcoming school year. #oklaed
A spokesman for Walters said via email Thursday night that the data point referenced by the superintendent was pulled from the most recent state report cards. #oklaed
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"We are going to turn around these districts that have failed our kids," said Oklahoma's state superintendent. " We can fix these problems. We have allocated funds.” #oklaed
The councilors urged the State Board of Education to keep the accreditation intact, saying downgrading it would have negative implications not only for Tulsa students but for the region's economy. #oklaed
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The Oklahoma State Board of Education will be asked not to make a decision regarding Tulsa Public Schools' 2022-23 accreditation status at its meeting Thursday morning. #oklaed
Answering a question, Walters spoke of “radical gender ideology that says to be fully inclusive kids at an early age need to hear about all kinds of sex acts.” #oklaed
Neither has had much of anything to say publicly about the swirling controversies, and it appears it will stay that way.
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Walters vowed to make an issue of the matter when the school district’s accreditation is up for renewal next week by the Oklahoma State Board of Education.
Some said they understood Walters to mean skin color should be left out of discussions of the massacre. #oklaed
"You are the most patriotic, pro-American group in the country," he told the group Southern Poverty Law Center likened to those pushing to resegregate schools during the civil rights movement. #oklaed
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's opinion confirms what many in Oklahoma's education community already knew, said Daniel Tinney, director of government relations for Oklahoma Professional Educators. #oklaed #okleg
Oklahoma's superintendent pushed rules allowing for downgrading the accreditation status of schools whose libraries contain explicit materials or "sexualized content." An AG's opinion may open the rules up to lawsuits.
After reading the group’s recommendations Thursday, the state superintendent expressed support for only one and did not even mention the other two. #oklaed
"The liberal left has infiltrated Oklahoma's classrooms and have anchored themselves in promoting atheism as the state-run religion," says Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters.
A new video contrasts State Superintendent Ryan Walters' statements on a recent appearance on Fox News with statements from National Education Association officials.
Lawmakers want the State Education Department to seek "joint approval" from Senate and House leaders before forgoing any federal education grants previously won by the state. #oklaed #okleg
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The Tulsa World's Andrea Eger and Carmen Forman discuss this month's most popular story with Editor Jason Collington on the Newsroom podcast.
“The public has a right to know about his lies. If he’s going to lie about federal grants, he’s going to lie about anything," claims the writer of $106 million in grants since 2017. #oklaed
"We are very diverse, and I can't allow myself to think that we're not going to apply for grants simply because of (political) buzzwords or because they would benefit people that look different or believe different things than our superintendent," said Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. #oklaed #okleg
Senate leader calls for governor, House speaker and state superintendent to join him in the public meeting to "let the public see what we continue to argue about."
With videos: "I don't care if people are triggered by what I say ... My job is to speak truth and find solutions to problems," the state superintendent tells a packed meeting room.
Before being replaced as Gov. Kevin Stitt's secretary of education, Walters conducted a similar inquiry of higher ed spending on diversity, equity and inclusion. #oklaed
"He would be the first agency head in state history to not appear before a House committee at the House's request," Rep. Charles McCall said, adding that he would reach out to the state superintendent about "the implications." #oklaed #okleg
In a new mandate from the State Board of Education, Oklahoma public schools also must share whether any of their athletic programs violate a state law that prohibits transgender athletes from participating in female sports at public schools and colleges.
The Senate president pro tem sought legal guidance on whether Ryan Walters could serve simultaneously in the state offices, a spokesman confirmed the day after Stitt named a replacement Cabinet appointee. #oklaed
“There was no issue with Ryan Walters’ performance as secretary of education," a spokeswoman for the governor said. Walters did not answer questions about whether he chose to resign. #oklaed
The state superintendent has called a special meeting of the State Board of Education to make clear his intention to oppose the rule proposed Thursday. #oklaed
Pressure is mounting on lawmakers after Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a formal opinion this week that says the State Board of Education doesn't have the authority to craft new agency rules without the Legislature's permission. #oklaed #okleg
Gentner Drummond's now-formal opinion reiterates that the State Board of Education, led by Ryan Walters, may adopt agency rules only when directed to do so by the Oklahoma Legislature. #oklaed #okleg
After being prodded by a state lawmaker to produce evidence of his claims that there are obscene books in Oklahoma's public schools, State Superintendent Ryan Walters alleged that he found four titles containing explicit materials in districts across the state.
The images, from graphic novels Ryan Walters says have been found in Oklahoma public school libraries, were previously shown at a State Board of Education meeting.
“This is about the teachers associations being out of step with Oklahoma values," said a spokesman for State Superintendent Ryan Walters. #oklaed
The nonbinding legal opinion was issued in response to a Feb. 22 request from a lawmaker who has been critical of the state superintendent.
Their letter was a response to to remarks the superintendent recently made about forming a committee to explore the role of prayer in #oklaed. Walters said he was elected to "bring back traditional values into the classroom."
"Where is the outcry?" state party chair asks about accusations against high school coach.
“We took out any woke language. This is an agency where woke will go to die," State Superintendent Ryan Walters said of newly approved computer science standards. #oklaed
Three Republican legislators responded to Ryan Walters' statement, saying he has no authority over higher education and "should refrain from discouraging any student from pursuing higher learning." #oklaed #okleg
Rep. Mark McBride has introduced legislation that would bar the State Board of Education from implementing new accreditation rules unless given explicit authority to do so from the Oklahoma Legislature.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters wants schools punished for sex-related matters, including not disclosing to parents “material changes” in a child’s identity. #oklaed
Under a proposed administrative rule, districts would be required to submit annually to the State Department of Education a list of all books and other materials in their school libraries.
Higher Ed Regents detail spending, activities on diversity, equity and inclusion at Walters' request
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Regents report that less than one-tenth of 1% of state higher education funds have gone to DEI programs over the last decade. #oklaed
For about two hours, a bipartisan group of lawmakers peppered State Superintendent Ryan Walters with questions about his $3.51 billion education budget request. #oklaed
Lori Murphy worked at the agency for 8½ years. The new state superintendent changed the status of her employment to one that doesn't allow her to file a complaint over termination.
House Speaker Charles McCall was on hand for the new state superintendent's conversation with Atoka-area teachers, superintendents. #oklaed #okleg
The newly elected state superintendent received approval Thursday for a revised budget request with $150 million for teacher incentive pay and $100 million for early-grade reading instruction. #oklaed
Gov. Kevin Stitt's secretary of education and newly elected state superintendent has given Chancellor Allison Garrett a deadline of Feb. 1. #oklaed
In a legislative hearing Tuesday, State Superintendent Ryan Walters said he wants to offer teacher pay raises based on student performance and implement new reading initiatives. #oklaed
In one of his first acts as state superintendent, Ryan Walters directed state education staff to pursue revoking the teaching certificates of two educators who expressed frustrations with a law that limits instruction on race and gender. #oklaed
Four of the six gubernatorial appointments on the board were replaced by Gov. Kevin Stitt on the second day of his second term. #oklaed
State Superintendent Ryan Walters said purging the state's education agency of "liberal indoctrination" will be a top priority during his first weeks in office, which could include changes to some of the nearly 400 people who work at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. #oklaed
The Republican defeats Democrat Jena Nelson to succeed two-term incumbent Joy Hofmeister in January. #oklaed
Jena Nelson, a Democrat, and Ryan Walters, a Republican, both have shared their ideas for changes to #oklaed. Most would require legislative approval.
Tuesday night’s event hosted by KOKH-Fox 25 TV in Oklahoma City is the only time state superintendent candidates have debated one-on-one. #oklaed
The first and likely only state superintendent debate between Ryan Walters and Jena Nelson is scheduled for tonight from 5-6 p.m. on KOKH FOX 25 in Oklahoma City. its website and Facebook page. Read Staff Writer Andrea Eger's profile of both candidates. #oklaed
The Tulsa World had a front-row seat for their markedly different political rhetoric at recent campaign stops, followed up by one-on-one interviews with Jena Nelson and Ryan Walters. #oklaed
He falsely stated Boismier had been fired from Norman Public Schools after a parent complained of the teacher’s objections to the law, which bans certain race and gender concepts from schools.
Ryan Walters claims victory over Shawnee Superintendent April Grace. #oklaed
With no candidate for state superintendent receiving a clear majority in the June 28 primary, Republican voters are asked to go back to the polls Tuesday to choose between April Grace and Ryan Walters. #oklaed
Two graphic novels reportedly on library shelves at Tulsa schools were the subject of a series of tweets by Oklahoma Secretary of Education Ryan Walters on Wednesday accusing the district of "liberal indoctrination." #oklaed
Tulsa Public Schools has pulled all copies of two graphic novels from its libraries after two state officials denounced the titles as pornographic, the district announced Thursday afternoon. #oklaed
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State Superintendent and gubernatorial candidate Joy Hofmeister accused Secretary of Education Ryan Walters on Thursday of withholding $12 million designated by the Legislature for early childhood programs because of the pending audit of Tulsa Public Schools ordered by Walters’ boss, Gov. Kevin Stitt. #oklaed
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A federal audit is highly critical of the handling of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration, including current Secretary of Education Ryan Walters, of $31 million from a $39.9 million federal grant intended to provide emergency pandemic relief for Oklahomans’ educational needs. #oklaed
TPS superintendent says she welcomes any review of the district's practices and processes.
Tuesday night's unofficial returns indicate that Oklahoma Republican voters will need to go back to the polls in August to select their nominees for four statewide offices, including state superintendent.
Republicans will have four state superintendent candidates to choose from for Tuesday’s primary election. #oklaed
"Teachers, administrators, school staff — absolutely we should ensure that some of them are armed." — Gov. Kevin Stitt's secretary of education Ryan Walters, who is a candidate for state superintendent #oklaed
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State House rams through bill segregating school restroom use by “biological sex,” while bathroom issue rankles some Gov. Kevin Stitt appointees on state Education board. #oklaed #okleg
April Grace, Jena Nelson, John Cox, and Ryan Walters all appeared at a Tuesday evening online candidate forum hosted by Oklahoma PTA. #oklaed
At issue is a policy Stillwater Public Schools enacted in 2015 that allows student to use the restrooms that correspond to their gender identity. #oklaed
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Numerous districts across the state announced that they could no longer sustain in-person instruction with the latest numbers of children and employees absent because of COVID and other seasonal illnesses. #oklaed
Ryan Walters is running for state superintendent as a Republican alongside superintendents April Grace, of Shawnee, and John Cox, of Peggs. #oklaed
Oklahoma Secretary of Education Ryan Walters may not get all interested parties on the same page in the coming year, but he hopes to at least get them in the same room.
"As secretary of education, I believe it is non-negotiable that all Oklahoma students have access to the highest quality education possible," said Ryan Walters.
Ryan Walters, CEO of Every Kid Counts Oklahoma, replaces Michael Rogers, who resigned but remained in the governor's cabinet as secretary of state.
Aristotle once taught that the “the roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet.” A rigorous, challenging education system will produce students with the grit and intellectual capability to be successful in the most elite colleges and the 21st century job market.
You hear it pretty commonly.
State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister announced the finalists' names Thursday morning during the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s annual conference.
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After House Speaker Charles McCall gave the green light to an investigation into finances at the State Department of Education, State Superintendent Ryan Walters responded. #oklaed #okleg
