Oklahoma state Superintendent Ryan Walters is under scrutiny from members of his own Republican Party, who are demanding an investigation into possible impeachable offenses. (Photo: Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)
Several House Republicans have expressed concern over the actions of state Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education, calling for an investigation into what they deem as “alarming” behavior. In a letter, they have requested an inquiry to determine if these perceived “failures” warrant impeachment.
Rep. Mark McBride, a Republican from Moore, penned a letter which he sent to House Speaker Charles McCall on Tuesday. Alongside McBride, 16 other lawmakers also co-signed the letter. Since submitting it to the speaker, an additional four lawmakers have added their signatures to the letter.
In a significant development, the Oklahoma Voice has obtained a letter that represents a noteworthy shift within Walters’ own Republican Party. It is the first time that public calls for an impeachment inquiry have emerged from the ranks of the GOP. This demand aligns with similar requests made by House Democrats since last year.
According to Walters, the legislators who endorsed the letter are “progressive Republicans” who have aligned themselves with the far-left Democrats in an attempt to undermine the wishes of Oklahoma voters.
In a statement, Walters dismissed their claims as baseless and lacking in merit. He characterized their accusations as a demonstration of political desperation from individuals who are struggling to impede the much-needed educational reforms that parents and voters have wholeheartedly supported.
According to a response he sent to his caucus, McCall stated that he will only consider the letter’s request once it has been signed by 51 or more Republicans.
According to him, the Attorney General’s Office should be responsible for handling criminal investigations, rather than the Legislature. Additionally, he suggested that the financial concerns mentioned in the letter could be addressed during public budgetary meetings involving officials from the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
“I hold elections in high regard, and I firmly believe that any individual who is elected by the people of this state should not be stripped of their office, which has been bestowed upon them by the people, unless it is absolutely mandated by the Constitution,” McCall expressed.
In the past, he stated that his chamber would not start impeachment proceedings against Walters unless there was an allegation of a criminal nature.
Several of the co-signers, such as McBride, serve on education-related committees. This includes Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, who is the leader of the Common Education Committee, as well as Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, who serves as the committee’s vice chair.
McBride also pointed out that Walters’ administration has been unresponsive to lawmakers’ information requests and to public records requests. He also highlighted the administration’s failure to comply with the Legislature’s budgetary directives regarding school security funds and funding for children’s asthma inhalers.
A special investigative committee on the state Department of Education has been called for in the letter. The committee would have the task of investigating both internal and external failures to adhere to the law by Walters and the state Board of Education.
The committee would also investigate whether these failures constitute willful neglect of duty or incompetence, as stated in the Oklahoma Constitution, which are valid grounds for impeachment.
McBride expressed his disappointment as he reached out to the speaker, stating that he regrets having to make such a request. He firmly believes that all other options have been exhausted. According to him, constituents from his district and taxpayers from all over the state have been urging the legislative body to take action and hold the superintendent and the state Board of Education responsible for their unruly conduct.
The creation of such a committee would require the agreement of the House speaker. McCall’s tenure in office will come to an end in November when he reaches his term limit.
According to the state Constitution, the House is tasked with crafting articles of impeachment and presenting the case to the Senate, which serves as a “court of impeachment.”
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, expressed her satisfaction with the fact that her caucus has repeatedly called for impeachment proceedings against Walters, but these calls have been ignored. However, she is now pleased that members of the Republican supermajority have finally joined her in this effort.
Munson emphasized that the Republicans currently have control over both the legislative chambers and the Governor’s mansion. He urged them to take action and utilize their power to ensure that the state superintendent is held accountable to the people of Oklahoma. Munson added that the people have been waiting for this accountability for a significant amount of time.
There has been a growing chorus of discontent among Republican lawmakers this week, with even those who did not sign McBride’s letter expressing their vocal opposition.
Rep. Kyle Hilbert, a Republican from Bristow and the incoming House speaker to succeed McCall, has joined other lawmakers in expressing concerns over the Education Department’s delays in responding and their refusal to grant access to executive sessions.
Hilbert refrained from signing the letter that called for an investigation. Instead, he took a different approach by releasing a statement on Tuesday. In his statement, he emphasized the need for a change in the rhetoric towards educators. Hilbert urged for not only toning down the rhetoric, but also reversing it altogether.
Hilbert expressed her concerns about the current situation in her daughter’s public school as she started kindergarten. She acknowledged the love and support provided by the exceptional teachers and support staff. However, instead of focusing on the excitement of a new school year, the discussions revolve around the statements issued by the state Education Department. The start of the school year has been overshadowed by these concerns.
Representatives Ty Burns and Josh West, both Republicans from Pawnee and Grove, respectively, expressed their frustration with Superintendent Walters’ derogatory remarks regarding the Bixby Public Schools’ superintendent.
Burns and West teamed up with Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, in a statement on Monday to show their support for Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller, who happens to be a former marine. All three legislators are proud military veterans.
Miller expressed frustration with the state Education Department for not promptly providing estimates for Oklahoma schools’ annual Title I funding. In response, Walters resorted to name-calling, referring to Miller as a “liar and a clown.”
According to Burns, West, and Banning, the act of name-calling is inappropriate for any leader, particularly the highest-ranking individual in the Oklahoma public school system.
“We, as elected officials, are accountable to the taxpayers who fund our positions and entrusted us with the future of our state. It is crucial that we have the integrity to acknowledge our mistakes when we make them,” they expressed. “While we initially had hopes that Walters would develop and improve in his role, we can no longer overlook the problematic leadership tactics he has displayed over the past two years. Our patience is wearing thin.”
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