ENID, OK — Governor Kevin Stitt has announced the removal of three members from the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSBE), citing concerns over the state’s education system and its political distractions. In a statement released on Tuesday, Stitt emphasized that the state’s declining student test scores and the politicization of the board prompted his decision.
“Nothing is more important than ensuring Oklahoma kids have the best education possible,” Stitt said in the release. “After months of headlines followed by disappointing NAEP scores this month, it’s clear that our education infrastructure has fallen prey to needless political drama.”
The three members removed were all appointed by Stitt himself, marking a significant shakeup for the board, which plays a critical role in overseeing the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The governor’s move follows increasing criticism of the board’s near-unanimous support for policies pushed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who took office in 2023.
Since Walters’ appointment, the OSBE has largely supported his initiatives without much debate. These initiatives have included controversial measures such as the revocation of certain teachers’ certifications, a proposal to spend $3 million on purchasing Bibles for public school classrooms, and the approval of several new administrative rules. Critics, including former Republican State Representative Mark McBride, have argued that the board’s lack of opposition has allowed Walters to implement policies that are damaging to Oklahoma’s education system.
“The board has enabled Walters to do real damage to Oklahoma’s education system,” McBride said. “From the Bibles to the rulemaking authority that he supposedly thinks he has, the board has backed all of his extreme agendas.”
Both McBride and State Senator Mary Boren (D-Norman) have voiced concerns that the leadership within the OSBE and the state’s education department has harmed Oklahoma’s reputation, especially among business leaders. They pointed to the negative press surrounding the education system and how it has raised concerns among those looking to invest in the state.
“Every one of them is very concerned about education, Oklahoma, about bringing new people in for new jobs,” McBride said.
Boren, who has been outspoken about her dissatisfaction with the education department’s communication, echoed similar sentiments. She noted that the negative publicity surrounding State Superintendent Walters’ policies has impeded efforts to attract businesses to Oklahoma.
“All of the negative press that we’ve been getting through the State Department of Education and Ryan Walters has really impeded the ability of those that want to attract business to Oklahoma,” Boren said.
Stitt appeared to share these concerns in his statement, underscoring the importance of education in fostering economic growth. “If we want to be the best state for business, we need to make sure our kids have a path to success,” he wrote. “It’s time for some fresh eyes and a renewed focus on our top ten goals.”
In addition to the board changes, News 4 confirmed that the OSDE’s communications director, Dan Isett, parted ways with the department on Monday. Boren, who had expressed frustration with Isett’s lack of communication, welcomed the change. She claimed that many legislators were dissatisfied with Isett’s approach, which often left them unable to get the information they needed.
“There’s not a person over at the State Department of Education that I can feel comfortable reaching out to,” Boren said. “The kind of communication that we’ve gotten from them is filtered through folks like Dan. There needed to be a change in heart and a change in attitude from the State Department of Education.”
The timing of Stitt’s shakeup of the OSBE has raised questions for some lawmakers, but it remains clear that the governor’s decision signals his determination to shift the direction of Oklahoma’s education policy.
