Oklahoma Education Officials Seek Clarification On SRO Program Policies From Supt. Walters

Nellie Sanders, Oklahoma's Secretary of Education and Chief Education Advisor, has requested detailed clarifications from State Superintendent Ryan Walters concerning the School Resource Officer (SRO) program's funding and related policies.

The inquiry, conveyed in a letter sent on August 6, 2024, highlights concerns about budget transparency, fund allocation, and recent policy changes.

The letter requested a response by the end of the day on August 6, but Sanders' office has yet to receive a response.

The letter outlines four critical areas of concern:

1. Revolving Fund Balance and Unspent Funds:
2. Sanders pointed out discrepancies in the revolving fund for the SRO program. She noted that while $46,552,000 was allocated for Fiscal Year 2024, $128 million remains in the revolving fund, suggesting that $28 million of the allocated funds were unspent. Sanders has requested confirmation of these figures and an explanation for the surplus.
3. Carryover Policy for Unspent Funds:
4. Recent guidance indicates that unspent funds, specifically for Project 376, are not eligible for carryover. This marks a shift from previous policies that permitted deferral of funds for larger projects. Sanders urged Walters to clarify the current carryover policy and provide a rationale for any changes from past practices.
5. Details of Project 376:
6. There is confusion surrounding Project 376 and whether the no-carryover policy applies solely to this project or to all SRO grants. Sanders has requested comprehensive information about Project 376, including its objectives, funding allocations, and any specific restrictions.
7. Removal of Guidance on SRO Grants:
8. Sanders expressed concern over the recent removal of guidance on SRO grants from the Department of Education's website and FAQs. She indicated that this has caused uncertainty about current policies and procedures. Sanders has asked Walters to explain the rationale behind this removal and to clarify the most recent policies and procedures related to SRO grants.

In response to the letter, Superintendent Walters acknowledged ongoing discussions with the governor's team, stating, "We’ve been in constant conversations with the governor's team since then, so I don’t know that she was out of the loop, but I’ve had conversations with the governor's team on this for weeks. I don’t know if she’s been in the loop on those, but we’ve had a lot of conversations with the governor's team on that."