Oklahoma is considering a new measure that would make the role of school district superintendent an elected position in response to several controversial incidents involving scholastic leaders. These incidents include the refusal to remove “pornographic books” from school libraries, the dismissal of a teacher for failing to comply with a COVID-19 face mask mandate, and reports of a football coach bragging about sexual conquests with parents. Governor Kevin Stitt has criticized the firing of mask-averse teachers in the state, calling it a violation of state law. State Superintendent of Schools Ryan Walters threatened to lower the accreditation of Edmond schools for not removing certain books from its libraries.
In Edmond, there was outrage over videos of students licking each other’s toes during a school fundraiser, with Senator Ted Cruz calling it child abuse. School officials defended the event, stating it raised money for an organization that supports individuals with disabilities. Muldrow Superintendent Leon Ashlock resigned after driving drunk and crashing a school vehicle, with two bottles of schnapps found in the console. Walters has criticized superintendents who defy the will of voters and refuse to take action to improve education outcomes and protect children. He believes requiring superintendents to be elected by voters is the best way to address these issues.
Walters believes that making superintendents elected positions is a common-sense solution to improving education for children in Oklahoma. He previously made headlines for leading the state in appropriating funding to supply a Bible to each school, stating that it counters “woke curricula” and provides students with a historical document used by the founders to form the government. The proposed legislation comes as part of efforts to remove radical progressive policies from public schools and ensure that the concerns of voters are addressed by school leaders. Walters hopes that by requiring superintendents to be elected, the state can end the continued defiance of voters and improve education outcomes for children in the Sooner State.
