Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is calling for a seismic shift in public education governance, advocating state laws requiring superintendents to be elected directly by their communities.
Walters told the Washington Examiner that this move would amplify parental influence and dismantle what he described as a grip of “left-wing, woke bureaucrats” on schools.
“Every state should follow Oklahoma’s lead. President Donald Trump has a mandate, and this aligns with his education agenda. It’s about ensuring parents, grandparents, and taxpayers have a direct say in who runs their schools, ending the era of rogue administrators ignoring community values,” Walters said, emphasizing the plan as a “fundamental shift in education” designed to empower parents.
The Oklahoma legislature, which convenes in February, will have to pass any such proposal into law. Walters declined to name lawmakers involved but confirmed active collaboration with state senators and representatives to draft and introduce related bills.
“We’ve been working closely on legislative language, and announcements are forthcoming,” Walters said.
This effort marks the latest high-profile initiative by Walters, who has gained national attention for other actions in office, such as mandating Bible instruction in schools and promoting classroom prayers. His office has faced legal challenges over these directives, with state Attorney General Gentner Drummond asserting that Walters exceeded his authority.
A flashpoint for conservative efforts to transform schools
Walters characterized his proposal as part of a broader effort to challenge what he described as malfeasance and corruption by superintendents who are appointed not by the people but by members of school boards.
“From administrators arrested for public intoxication to others enabling inappropriate conduct, the lack of accountability is alarming,” Walters said.
Walters cited high-profile incidents in Oklahoma schools as evidence of a need for reform. Allegations include administrators’ refusal to remove explicit materials from school libraries, dismissals of teachers over COVID-19 mask mandates, and inaction after reports of a football coach boasting about inappropriate behavior with parents.
In another case that grabbed headlines, Leon Ashlock, the former superintendent of Muldrow Public Schools near the Arkansas border, resigned after crashing a school vehicle while intoxicated on Creek Turnpike. Authorities reportedly found two 100-proof bottles of cinnamon schnapps in the vehicle’s console, according to local media.
Walters argued that such incidents reflect a lack of accountability under the current system, in which superintendents are hired by elected school boards rather than directly chosen by voters.
Pushback from state Republicans
Walters’s proposal drew immediate criticism, including from members of his own party. Rep. Mike Osburn, a Republican from Edmond, dismissed it as “clickbait” that distracts from addressing poor student performance. “None of this will lift us from dead last in ACT scores. This is disruptive and divisive,” Osburn said, according to The Oklahoman.
Some Democratic lawmakers likewise voiced opposition. Rep. Melissa Provenzano, a Democrat from Tulsa and a former principal, called the plan “sensationalism,” while Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, a Democrat from the college town of Norman, warned of increased political interference in schools. “This will further politicize our public schools, which desperately need de-politicizing,” Rosecrants said.
Others questioned the practicality of electing superintendents, pointing to the risks of unqualified candidates assuming leadership. Rep. Danny Sterling, a Republican from Tulsa and a former high school principal, argued that the current vetting system ensures qualified hires, describing Walters’s plan as a solution “to a problem that doesn’t exist.”
Defending his vision to democratically elect school leaders
Walters counters this criticism by raising the point that anyone with a relevant degree or educational background should be eligible for consideration in education roles, referencing Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who was a CEO of Gateway Mortgage Group before becoming the Sooner State’s governor.
“The reality is, successful people would go find subject matter experts to work for them that need those necessary things, but to act like you can’t have people who are incredibly successful in the business world to come in and run a school — I trust the community. The community is going to find good leaders,” Walters said.
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Despite the legislative hurdles, Walters expressed confidence in achieving his vision. “We expect these bills to move and pass, bringing the power back to parents where it belongs,” he said.
This debate adds to the intensifying national discussion on education, with Oklahoma emerging as a flashpoint for conservative reform efforts.
