Cimarron Schools Face Problems, More Than Superintendent Bribery Charge

An Oklahoma superintendent is being charged in connection with election fraud. Chuck Anglin is due in court next week. Two Lahoma parents said this allegation is one example of numerous problems at Cimarron Public Schools.

On a typical day in Lahoma people can hear a quiet breeze. Lately, parents Nicole Wisel and Jessica Coffman said the volume has risen in their small town. 

“It really doesn’t surprise me,” Wisel said.

Court records show Anglin is accused of asking school board candidate Gary Naugle to pull his candidacy from the April 4 race in exchange for appointment to another board seat.

News 9 spoke to Anglin on the phone. Anglin told us he didn’t want to take attention away from the fact the kids at his school need a new building. 

News 9 tried to speak to Anglin one more time at his home in Lahoma. However, he wasn’t home at the time. Wisel and Coffman said a new building won’t solve the problems inside the school.

“We’ve lost teachers,” Wisel said. “We’ve lost students.”  

“My daughter [Madison] has been bullied since second grade,” Wisel said.

Bullying at school is another issue for Wisel’s family. 

“My son [Jacob] was bullied so bad that he came home with blood pouring down his arm,” Wisel said. 

Wisel’s son is autistic. Coffman pulled her kids out of this district, even though it was a tough decision.

“They’re losing their friends,” Coffman said. “They’re losing what they know.”

Coffman’s daughter Lexie fell two grades behind on her reading level. Her new school helped.

“I think that clearly shows that they’re just not doing the basic things that they should be doing as a school,” Coffman said. “I’m fighting for the kids that are still in this school.”  

Coffman and Wisel said they won’t be silent about their school.

“I will fight for them until my last breath,” Wisel said. “I’ve been fighting for four years.” 

Right now, the only quiet thing about Lahoma Oklahoma today is Chuck Anglin.

“I’m so proud of whoever spoke up,” Coffman said.