Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters is under inquiry following allegations that images of nude women were displayed on a TV in his office during a State Board of Education meeting. The incident reportedly occurred during an executive session on Thursday.
Two board members, Sarah Deatherage and Bill Carson, reported witnessing the images. Carson allegedly demanded the television be turned off, and Walters reportedly struggled to comply and did not offer an explanation or apology once the screen was blank. Deatherage stated that Walters should face consequences similar to those a teacher would encounter for such behavior, potentially including the revocation of his teaching certificate.
A third board member,Chris VanDenhende,who had his back to the television,confirmed Walters turned it off when asked and appeared “shaken” by the event.
In response to the allegations, House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson called for new leadership within the state department, irrespective of the veracity of the claims. She indicated that the House Democrats would follow the guidance of the Speaker regarding the matter.
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert issued a statement on Friday calling for an “expeditious third-party review” of the serious allegations made by the board members. He urged the State Superintendent to cooperate fully with the investigation and provide all relevant devices, adding that a transparent review would clear Walters’ name if no wrongdoing occurred.
Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton and Senate Education Chair Adam Pugh confirmed that the Office of Management and Enterprise Services is leading an inquiry into the matter. Paxton described the board members’ accounts as painting a “strange, unsettling scene that demands clarity and transparency,” emphasizing the need for more facts before drawing conclusions.
