Republican Legislators Seek Investigation Into State Superintendent Ryan Walters

Seventeen Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the Speaker of the House, asking for an investigation into state superintendent Ryan Walters.

Four of the 17 representatives included in the letter are from Green Country.

Representative Mark McBride wrote the letter and says there are recent actions by Ryan Walters that McBride finds alarming, including denying members of the education committee access to executive sessions at State Board of Education meetings and failure to respond to numerous requests for Open Records.

Representative Ty Burns from Pawnee, is included in the letter.

He says this is not about impeaching Walters, but making sure due process is done and checking to see if anything wrong is happening.

Burns says Walters' recent comments toward Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller and Walters' behavior are not something Burns wants to see from a state leader.

"We've waited for years for him to grow into his role, and lead this state out of the 49th ranking that we have in the nation, and again, it's not happening, and I think the biggest thing is that it's poor leadership tactics," he said.

Speaker Charles McCall sent out a statement saying in part, that no one who's elected by citizens should be removed from office unless required by the constitution.

He also says until 51 or more Republicans request an investigative committee, the request won't be considered at this time.

Charles McCall, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives released a statement to members of the Caucus in response:

"Members,

 I have seen the letter signed by 17 Republicans which is being circulated to request an investigation into the State Superintendent. Please know that I am not aware of nor have I received any communication from the Senate requesting that we take it up or agreeing to go along with any such action.

 Additionally, many of the areas requested to be investigated as articulated by the letter are best addressed in the Committee hearings which are conducted by the Legislature presession when we ask the agency to account for the dollars appropriated and the agency’s plan going forward.

 Regarding the possible criminal violation, the Legislature does not conduct criminal investigations. Criminal investigations are under the exclusive purview of the Executive Branch, more specifically the Attorney General. If there has been a violation of the Open Meetings Act then the Attorney General is charged to investigate. From the documentation attached to the request, it appears that the Attorney General is aware of the potential violation. Investigations by the Legislature are limited to the use of appropriated dollars and internal discipline, unless the AG finds a criminal violation did occur, and the State Superintendent is charged and convicted with a crime. In that case, the House would likely have something to consider. 

I take elections very seriously, and anyone who was duly elected by the people of this state should not be removed from that office, given to them by the people, unless absolutely required by the constitution. Unless and until 51 or more Republicans sign the letter and request the investigative committee be formed, I will not consider the request."

State Superintendent Ryan Walters responded as well on Tuesday with this statement:

"I am confident in the work that the State Department of Education is doing on behalf of Oklahoma students and families. We are working to undo years of political activism and indoctrination in our public schools and it’s no surprise that those pleased with the status quo enforced by teacher union control of the classroom are threatened and upset by our reforms. Just as they have against President Trump, liberal Republicans have joined the far-left Democrats to try to thwart the will of Oklahoma voters. Their calls are baseless and have no merit. They reek of political desperation from those who are failing in their misguided attempts to stop the positive education reforms that parents and voters have demanded from their elected leaders."

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Bixby Public Schools Issues Statement After State Superintendent Walters Comments On Finances