Enid, OK — Governor Kevin Stitt is expressing frustration with the ongoing political drama surrounding State Superintendent Ryan Walters, particularly a proposed rule that would count undocumented students in the state. Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Stitt voiced strong opposition to the plan, calling it an inappropriate use of children as “political pawns.”
“I guess it’s when you’re picking on kids, I guess when you’re using them as political pawns, this is getting ridiculous,” Stitt said during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
The controversy surrounding Walters has persisted for nearly two years, with tensions mounting within the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) building. Lawmakers have expressed concerns about the direction of education policy, citing increasing litigation costs, funding questions, and what they view as unnecessary political infighting. Despite these tensions, Stitt has previously refrained from commenting on Walters’ actions, stating that voters had elected him to the position. However, the governor drew the line this time when the issue of counting undocumented students was raised.
Stitt sharply criticized the potential collection of immigration status information from young students, calling it a non-public safety issue. “Let’s go after the bad guys,” he said, emphasizing that the focus should be on solving Oklahoma’s broader education challenges rather than engaging in divisive political maneuvering.
The governor also highlighted ongoing concerns over Oklahoma’s struggling education system, pointing to poor test scores and the state’s position at the bottom of national rankings for education outcomes. “When you think about the outcomes and you think about where our kids are compared to other states, we’re not doing as well as we should. And so we have to get that fixed and we’ve got to make sure that kids are learning in the classrooms,” Stitt added.
On Tuesday, Stitt announced his nominations for three new members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSBE), intending to replace three current members. He explained that his decisions were driven by the need to address failing test scores and resolve what he described as “needless political drama.” However, Stitt’s actions also appear to be connected to Walters’ proposal on undocumented students.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the OSDE criticized the governor’s position, suggesting that Stitt was overlooking the will of Oklahomans. “I’m surprised the Governor is willing to pay $450 million towards illegal immigrants in Oklahoma. Not only is the Governor ignoring a mandate from President Trump, he’s going against the will of Oklahomans,” the spokesperson said.
Adding to the growing political tensions, Attorney General Gentner Drummond publicly sided with Walters. In a tweet, Drummond expressed support for the superintendent, which led to Stitt’s response that political figures were simply playing for the next office. “These guys are running for their next office. They’re playing politics, trying to get their names in the paper. And Oklahomans can see right through it. I think that’s why Oklahomans hate politicians so much because do the job you’re elected to do,” Stitt remarked.
In the midst of the ongoing debate, Walters introduced a new educational advisory group, the “Trump Advisory Committee,” which has added further intrigue to the political landscape. Two of the OSBE members currently up for replacement, Kendra Wesson and Katie Quebedeaux, are reportedly part of this new committee. Details about the committee’s mission and whether taxpayer funds will be used for its activities remain unclear.
As the battle over education policy continues to unfold, Oklahoma residents are left to navigate a complex political environment in which education reform, immigration policy, and political ambitions are all intertwined. The stakes are high, and both sides seem determined to make their voices heard.
