Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters Clashes wiht KFOR Over Education Rankings, Budget
Oklahoma State Superintendent ryan Walters engaged in a heated exchange with Oklahoma City news station KFOR during a press conference Friday morning. The confrontation arose after state lawmakers rejected several of Mr. Walters’ budget requests, including funding for specific initiatives.
Budget rejections Spark Controversy
Lawmakers declined to approve several requests from the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). These included:
- $3 million for “Bibles in every classroom”
- $500,000 for concealed carry training
The rejection of these proposals fueled tension during the press conference,were Mr. Walters also addressed a proposed income tax cut. When questioned about how he would implement the cut, he did not provide a specific answer. Similarly, he advocated for property tax reductions but lacked a concrete plan for achieving them.
Clash Over Education Rankings
The most contentious exchange occurred when KFOR questioned Mr. Walters about Oklahoma’s education rankings compared to other states.
KFOR: Why would people listen to you when,over the years,we’ve continued to be one of the lowest in the nation when it comes to education? You blame other people,but aren’t you to blame?
Mr. Walters responded sharply, accusing KFOR of misrepresenting the facts.
Walters: So let’s take a look at that question, KFOR gets it fundamentally wrong.You are consistent at being wrong. So we are not at the bottom of education. We continue to see dramatic increases in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. I know y’all don’t care to report facts.
However, data indicates that Oklahoma’s education rankings remain a concern. A survey assessing fourth and eighth-grade reading and math results across the U.S. revealed the following:
- Eighth graders: Ranked around 48th for reading and 45th for math.
- Fourth graders: Ranked around 47th for reading and 44th for math.
“Fake News” Accusation
The tension escalated when KFOR inquired about a teacher signing bonus initiative. The OSDE had offered bonuses to attract teachers to Oklahoma schools, but later demanded repayment from some recipients due to errors in distribution.
According to Oklahoma Watch, the OSDE sought the return of approximately $290,000 in bonuses that were incorrectly issued. One teacher reported being asked to repay $29,000.
I got an email … it was like the second week of January,saying I have to pay it back by the end of February. I’m like,how am I supposed to do that?
Oklahoma Watch
When questioned about the bonus repayment issue,Mr. Walters dismissed KFOR’s inquiry.
Walters: KFOR, take your fake news somewhere else today. Thank you for your time.Any real questions from the media?
Background: KFOR’s Access Restored
In December, KFOR regained access to state education meetings and officials after settling a lawsuit against the OSDE. The lawsuit stemmed from instances where Mr. Walters and his press secretary, And Isett, denied the station access to board meetings and press conferences, relegating reporters to an overflow room.
