Enid, OK — Governor Kevin Stitt expressed frustration with the political turmoil surrounding Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters, particularly over Walters’ proposed rule to count undocumented students. Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Stitt criticized Walters for what he described as “picking on kids” and using them as political pawns.
Stitt’s comments came a day after he announced his nominations for three new members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSBE). The Governor cited concerns about failing test scores and “needless political drama” as reasons for the replacements. However, at a State Chamber Dinner on Tuesday night, he expanded on his decision, citing a controversial proposal by Walters to track the immigration status of students, including those as young as six or seven years old.
“Collecting six, seven, eight-year-old kids’ addresses and immigration status in the state of Oklahoma? It’s not a public safety issue,” Stitt remarked. “Let’s go after the bad guys.” His response reflected growing tension within the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), which has been marked by controversy and legal battles over the past two years.
Stitt’s comments underscore a mounting rift between him and Walters, who has garnered national attention with his policies and public statements on education. The governor’s frustration was evident, especially after a long period of staying out of conflicts between the two. Previously, Stitt had refrained from commenting on Walters’ actions, stating simply that “the people chose him.” This time, however, Stitt made it clear that the line had been crossed.
Walters’ proposed rule, which seeks to count undocumented students, has sparked debate across the state. Stitt described the proposal as unnecessary and harmful to Oklahoma’s educational priorities. He pointed out that Oklahoma continues to lag behind other states in educational outcomes, with poor test scores and rankings near the bottom in various national assessments.
“We’re not doing as well as we should,” Stitt added. “We have to get that fixed, and we’ve got to make sure that kids are learning in the classrooms.” His remarks highlight the Governor’s focus on improving educational standards in Oklahoma, a task he believes has been overshadowed by political distractions.
In response, a spokesperson for the OSDE issued a statement challenging the Governor’s position. The spokesperson expressed surprise at Stitt’s willingness to allocate funds to support undocumented immigrants, accusing him of ignoring the will of Oklahomans and disregarding mandates set by former President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Stitt’s nominees for the OSBE include Michael Tinney, an attorney, Ryan Deatherage, an emergency management director, and Chris Van Denhende, a former official with the Regional University System of Oklahoma. Tinney’s wife, Stephanie Tinney, is a director for Professional Oklahoma Educators, while Deatherage’s experience in emergency management is cited as an asset for overseeing the state’s educational strategies.
In the midst of this political turmoil, Attorney General Gentner Drummond weighed in, expressing support for Walters’ stance on the issue. Drummond, who is also running for Governor, echoed Walters’ concerns about the state’s approach to immigration, while Stitt criticized Drummond and other political figures for seeking attention ahead of elections.
As the political battle over education policy intensifies, Walters also introduced a new educational group, the Trump Advisory Committee, which includes two members of the OSBE who are currently under consideration for replacement. The purpose of the group remains unclear, and questions have arisen over whether taxpayer dollars will be used to fund its activities.
The ongoing political drama surrounding Walters and Stitt reflects deeper divisions in Oklahoma’s educational landscape. With educational outcomes continuing to struggle, both sides of the debate are under increasing pressure to find solutions that prioritize the needs of students while navigating the complex political dynamics of the state.
