Support Grows for Investigation Into Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters, OSDE

A letter is making the rounds at the Capitol with growing bipartisan support.

The letter calls for an investigation into State Superintendent Ryan Walters and the department he runs.

Representatives from both sides claim over the past year problems with State Superintendent Ryan Walters and his office have mounted.

His party representatives are losing faith. “In 24 hours we've got 20 members that want an investigation,” said Rep. Mark McBride, (R-Moore) House Education A&B Chair.

The letter's author Rep. Mark McBride expects that number to grow.

"It's finally time that Republicans say - we've been looking into this long enough, maybe its time we do have an investigation," said McBride.

Included on the Republicans' list of concerns, are possible open meeting violations, unfulfilled open records, and several questionable expenses.  

"We have to start investigating, is there an impeachable offense or not?" said McBride.

"We went from the State Department of Education, under Hoffmeister as one of the most transparent agencies--if I ever reached out to them I would have my inquiries answered within an hour, these days you don't get anything answer," said Oklahoma Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, (D-Norman).

Concerns Democrats have been vocal about over the past year.

"This last year feels like 400 years, not just for me but for teachers, superintendents, and for the children and parents that go to these public schools as well," said Rosecrants.

In a statement Tuesday, Walters said in part...

"Just as they have against President Trump, liberal Republicans have joined the far-left Democrats to try to thwart the will of Oklahoma voters."

Rosecrants says the people responsible for reigning him in have clearly failed and shoulder responsibility for the current state of education.  

"It's important to realize when I talk about the State School Board-- that's supposed to be a check against the superintendent's power and it's not. That board is appointed by Governor Stitt. He has the power to hire and fire the board members of the five most appropriate agencies in the State of Oklahoma. Well that's causing problems," said Rosecrants.

News 9 reached out to Governor Stitt's office, but they declined to comment.

The letter was delivered Tuesday to House Speaker Charles McCall.

He says a super-majority of the 51 Republicans would need to sign it for him to honor the investigation request.