28-02-2025
Stitt-appointed OSBE members clash with Supt. Walters
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Thursday marked the first board meeting for the State Board of Education members appointed by Governor Stitt, and it was a clash with Superintendent Ryan Walters.
'Why am I here?' asked new board member, Ryan Deatherage, when it was confirmed that they didn't determine new items to go on agendas and that essentially, it was up to Supt. Walters.
The meeting started with new board member, Chris Van Denhende, voicing his concern with Walters' recent rule of counting undocumented students.
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'I'm concerned about the immigration status issue because we've had a lot of pushback from parents. I would respectfully request until we get all the information sorted out from the AG that we suspend all activities related to immigration,' said Van Denhende during the meeting.
The attorney that was put in place by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond informed him that his concern was not on the agenda, so they could not discuss that.
The meeting then went on to give a presentation on the new Oklahoma Science and Social Studies Standards. These standards have brought controversy as they mention the Bible almost 50 times, and focus on religion.
However, the presentation that was given did not mention that fact or mention the Bible once.
In the end, the standards were approved, but for the first time, a board member voted 'No' to an agenda item, that board member being Deathrage. The standards will make their way to the legislators before being officially passed.
He wanted to know how they can bring about new items for future agendas, essentially the superintendent has all the power when it comes to that.
Deatherage brought up an article from The Oklahoman that outlines the rules when it comes to what the new members can do.
According to the state website, 'The Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chief of Staff, and Senior Leadership at the OSDE are accountable for the agency's data governance structure, resourcing, and policy approval and implementation.'
Deatherage and Van Denhende seemingly expressed concern surrounding the fact.
'I brought up an item that was rejected at the beginning of the meeting that wasn't on the agenda, and I want to be involved in that conversation,' said Van Denhende, talking about the counting of undocumented students.
'I will always stand with President Trump and enforce his executive orders, especially when it comes to illegal immigration,' said Supt. Walters.
Supt. Walters posted on his 'X' social media page instead of answering questions from the press and said that the new board members '..tried to undermine our immigration rules that align with President Trump. They wanted us to align with the Biden Administration. Allowing illegal immigration to continue without any kind of accounting.'
That's not what happened. The new board members were appointed by Governor Stitt as a form of accountability for Supt. Walters. At the time, Stitt told Walters to do his job and to 'Stop the needless political drama.'
In a response to News 4, Stitt said after the meeting Thursday, 'I'm grateful to all the members of the State Board of Education for fighting for transparency and accountability for Oklahoma students, parents, and teachers. Nothing is more important than making sure Oklahomans have the best education possible—and I believe we're heading in the right direction.
'We're dealing with kids; leave the kids alone. And deal with the people that need to be dealt with,' said Van Denhende to the press after the meeting.
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