Walters Watch

Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters vows to reject U.S. Department of Education’s updated Title IX guidelines, risking critical federal funding for Oklahoma schools

Attorneys for Walters and the Oklahoma State Department of Education, who are using outside counsel because the agency has no in-house attorneys, have asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by two teachers who each received a bonus in error. Walters first blamed the teachers, and later the media's reporting of the story, for the issues with the program and has yet to accept responsibility for any errors that might have been made by him or the agency he leads.

In new court filing, attorneys for Ryan Walters again blame teachers for bonus issues (oklahoman.com)

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt says State Superintendent Ryan Walters and other Oklahoma State Department of Education leaders need to be held “accountable” after it was reported OSDE did not submit some key data to U.S. News and World Report, causing Oklahoma schools to plummet in the publication’s yearly rankings.

Stitt: Walters, OSDE need to be held accountable in U.S. News rankings fiasco (kfor.com)

Ryan Walters makes false claims and misleading on Title IX.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters sent a letter instructing all Oklahoma districts to ignore new Title IX regulations from the Biden administration, giving guidance directly at odds with the federal government and risks more than $800 million of federal funding each year.

Walters urges Oklahoma schools to ignore new Biden administration Title IX rules (kosu.org)

Walters dangerously urges schools to ignore new Title IX rules.

Walters called the federal rule changes “illegal”

“Please do not make any district policy changes based on the new Title IX regulations,” Walters wrote in the letter.” - Ryan Walters

In a desperate attempt to maintain his MAGA theatrics, Oklahoma’s embattled Superintendent of Public Instruction demands school districts violate the safety and civil rights of students enshrined in updated Title IX guidelines. Refusing to comply with Title IX could put federal funding for Oklahoma school districts at risk.

Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters Vows to Reject U.S. Department of Education’s Updated Title IX Guidelines, Risking Critical Federal Funding for Oklahoma Schools

A federal judge denied Ryan Walters's motion to dismiss a defamation case brought by former Norman teacher Summer Boismier, which states Walters’ made "false or misleading statements" on social media which led to violent threats being made against her.

Federal judge refuses to dismiss defamation case against Superintendent Walters (okcfox.com)

Old social media posts written by State Superintendent Ryan Walters when he was a history teacher at McAlester High School have surfaced which raised discussion about Walters’ transformation since becoming OKlahoma’s top education official.

State Superintendent who opposes ‘porn’ in schools challenged students to predict 'Game of Thrones' (publicradiotulsa.org)

Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters turned to the right-wing echo chamber of Fox News in a desperate bid for support where he sought to divert blame for the death of Oklahoma teen Nex Benedict.

Following a Furious Rebuke from Outraged Oklahomans, Ryan Walters Continues to Spread Hate, Maligning and Misgendering Trans Student Nex Benedict

Walters took part in a “town hall” event at Oklahoma State in which he completely crumbled under the pressure of facing criticism from OSU students appalled by his mismanagement of the state’s education system and his attacks on LGBTQ+ people.

‘Never back down to a woke mob!’ Upset audience brings Ryan Walters speaking event to abrupt end (kfor.com)

Former Oklahoma State Department of Education employee Pamela Smith-Gordon, who Ryan Walters hired, details that an absent Walters and massive mismanagement at the department resulted in millions of dollars of lost funding for Oklahoma schools and that she is worried public schools won’t survive the rest of his term.

Conservative ex-official warns of crisis in Oklahoma schools under anti-LGBTQ+ superintendent Ryan Walters (advocate.com)

When The Oklahoman reported that more than 130 Oklahoma State Department of Education employees have resigned since State Superintendent Ryan Walters took office, Walters responded with a defensive video dismissing the publication as "fake news."

The Southern Poverty Law Center added State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ appointee Chaya Raichik to its file of individual extremists and extremist movements.

'Libs of TikTok' creator, Ryan Walters' appointee Chaya Raichik added to SPLC extremist list (oklahoman.com)

In the aftermath of election day, Oklahoma voters' message was clearer than ever: Supporting Ryan Walters' agenda is a losing strategy.

Ryan Walters’ shadow looms over election losses in three Tulsa School Board races (readfrontier.org)

Voters in local Oklahoma elections overwhelmingly rejected State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ agenda of coddling Neo Nazis and state takeovers of local districts.

Ryan Walters’ Horrible Election Day: Oklahoma Voters in Enid and Tulsa Soundly Reject His Destructive Education Policies and Coddling of Extremists

Like many MAGA extremists, Ryan Walters attacked Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and the National Education Association for celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), demonstrating not only his continued transphobia but a complete lack of understanding for how calendars work. International Transgender Day of Visibility has been celebrated on March 31 for more than 15 years, whereas Easter occurs on the Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.

Just a day after the disastrous Oklahoma State Department of Education meeting, The Oklahoman reported that Ryan Walters had pulled out of an event hosted by a conservative group at Oklahoma State University, where student protests had been planned.

Ryan Walters’ appearance at an Oklahoma State University suddenly canceled (oklahoman.com)

Ryan Walters tweeted out his opening statement from the State Board of Education Meeting, a collection of unhinged MAGA talking points where he refused, again, to say Nex Benedict’s name.

Watch the statements of 10 members of the public, who all criticized State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters directly to his face for his failures to protect the state’s LGBTQ+ students and keep Oklahoma schools safe. Their overwhelming message was clear: Ryan Walters should be removed from office.

Oklahomans Slam Ryan Walters at State Board of Ed Meeting, Call for his Removal

Ryan Walters no longer has lawyers at his agency as the mass exodus from the Oklahoma State Department of Education continues.

Oklahoma Education Department has no employed attorneys at present (oklahoman.com)

In a clear effort to silence Oklahomans waiting outside to gain entrance to the highly anticipated State Board of Education meeting, state officials used ties and an extension cord to close off the entrance to the Oklahoma State Department of Education and posted a new rule on the building barring people from waiting outside the building between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday.

ICYMI: In “Dramatic Change of Enforcement Protocol,” Doors Locked to Oklahoma State Department of Education Building As Ryan Walters Prepares For Intense Scrutiny At Public Meeting Today

New polling data on Walters, including one survey privately shared by Republican operatives, show Walters with significant unfavorable ratings among a variety of demographics.

Polling data: ‘How do you feel about Ryan Walters?’

KFOR reported that numerous sources said Walters’ chief of staff and two other top agency employees have left in recent weeks.

News report: Ryan Walters loses chief of staff, latest agency defection (oklahoman.com)

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has turned down a request from Walters to insert himself into a lawsuit that seeks to stop the creation of what would be the nation's first public religious charter school for a third time.

Oklahoma Supreme Court rejects Ryan Walters' involvement in religious charter school case for third time (oklahoman.com)

Instead of tax dollars staying in Oklahoma to help students, state education funds are used to boost Ryan Walters’ national political profile.

Oklahoma tax dollars funding national promotion of State Superintendent Walters (okcfox.com)

Ryan Walters publicly discredits experienced educators and continues to push a false indoctrination narrative.

Superintendent Walters continues to champion policies and use retaliatory tactics that have many teachers worried that teaching certain parts of history could put their jobs and licenses at risk.

Educators say they fear Oklahoma law restricts teaching 'Killers of the Flower Moon' book (abcnews.com)

Two more senior-level staffers resign from the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Ryan Walters' administration exodus continues with departure of top accreditation official (aol.com)

350+ LGBTQ, civil rights groups, and notable public figures urge removal of Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters, and D.O.E. investigation.

Local and national leaders illustrate the failure of Walters and the Oklahoma Department of Education in the months preceding the death of Nex Benedict. (hrc.org)

Oklahoma State Legislature is working to weaken Ryan Walters’ powers and strip him of some of his authority.

Oklahoma lawmakers want to rein in Ryan Walters-led agency. Here's how (yahoo.com)

Oklahoma City businessman and local politician blasts Walters for his role in the bullying faced by Nex at a public meeting held by the Oklahoma Department of Education.

OK politician confronts Ryan Walters for Nex Benedict death (advocate.com)

The Edmond School Board voted unanimously to file a petition with the court to determine if the rules adopted and enforced by the State Department of Education (SDOE) are valid under Oklahoma Law.

Edmond Public Schools takes legal action against the State Board of Education (kfor.com)

Nex is attacked in their school’s bathroom after a year of anti-LGTBQ+ bullying, a consequence of the hostile environment created by Ryan Walters

One day before Nex is attacked, Ryan Walters promotes spreader of hate speech and anti-LGBTQ+ school policies; saying they will make schools safe for all children of Oklahoma.

Ryan Walters appoints LibsofTikTok’s Chaya Raichik to statewide library advisory board; believes a person who does not hold an education background, has no experience in a classroom setting, and is from California should decide what can or cannot be taught in Oklahoma schools.

For Walters, Out = DEI programs. In = teaching the Bible in public schools. Walters doesn’t believe the separation of church and state applies to public schools in Oklahoma.

Ryan Walters proposed dangerous new rules to eliminate long-held American Library Association guidelines

Ryan Walters feels bullied by ACLU, but has no problem bullying and harassing children expressing their individual LGBTQ+ identity.

Ryan Walters believes that implementing harmful anti-LGBTQ+ policies will “protect’ women and girls.

Ryan Walters threatened textbook companies that Oklahoma would not accept textbooks with critical race theory and social-emotional learning content under his leadership.

Ryan Walters thinks the mental and physical well-being of transgender students is a game.

Ryan Walter believes it is best for the children of Oklahoma to work with a known hate group to develop educational policy and programs.

Ryan Walters aligns himself with Chaya Raichik, who runs an anti-LGBTQ+ hate account.

Ryan Walters targets teachers and their unions, believing they don’t have students’ best interests at heart because they are too busy indoctrinating them about acceptance and inclusion.

Ryan Walters targets principal for performing in drag.

Ryan Walters touts new Oklahoma safety measures while actively making OK schools a dangerous place for the state's LGBTQ+ students.

Ryan Walters calls for the end of discrimination against religious groups, however, thinks it is perfectly acceptable to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community.

Ryan Walters thinks standing up to liberty means preaching discrimination and hate toward an entire community.

Ryan Walters accuses President Biden of politically hijacking the education system.

Ryan Walters calls recognized extremist group Moms of Liberty, a “Patriotic organization.”

Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters defends Moms for Liberty (oklahoman.com)

A whistleblower who formerly worked at the Oklahoma State Department of Education claims Superintendent Ryan Walters lied to lawmakers about the status of grants.

Whistleblower claims Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters lied to state lawmakers (kosu.org)

Ryan Walters’ directed staff not to accept Federal Grants with elements of DEI, LGBTQ initiatives or social-emotional learning.

Oklahoma state employee told to avoid federal grants with DEI LGBTQ+ Terms (oklahoman.com)

Ryan Walters released guidelines for banning books. 190 LGBTQ+ related book titles were banned as a result.

Oklahoma rules on school books, trans students should be void, AG says (oklahoman.com)

Ryan Walters wants you to believe that teachers are standing in the way of progress in the education system. His administration is trying to bring Oklahoma schools back to the 1950s.

Ryan Walters is sworn in as the new Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction.