Sooner Shakeup: Feud Between Stitt and Walters Grows

In a recent public disagreement, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters are butting heads on education policy and governmental actions, widening the gap between the state’s executive and head of education.

Ultimately, a sore lack of communication mixed with agenda differences seems to be the root cause of the strife.

The first major division came after Walters accused Stitt of pushing the wrong political initiatives when the Oklahoma Governor signed “a memorandum of agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark that could eventually lead to the development of solar, wind or a methanol power production facility in the state,” according to The Oklahoman.

At the Oklahoma Capitol, a rally was held in opposition to the memorandum, which Superintendent Walters made a surprise appearance at, a large event of direct  opposition toward the governor.

Since the green energy memorandum and after President Trump’s second inauguration, the relationship between Stitt and Walters only worsened, with each individual disagreeing on how far the state government should take new orders from Washington. 

Walters voiced support for President Trump’s initiatives, especially regarding immigration, when he proposed a rule to the Oklahoma State Board of Education that required students to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

“The proposed rule, which requires the governor’s approval before it takes effect, mandates that parents or legal guardians provide proof of citizenship of their children when enrolling them in public school, including a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, consular report of birth abroad, permanent resident card or other legal document,” the Associated Press reported.

The rule frustrated Gov. Stitt, who accused Walters of going to the extreme and introducing  excessive politics into the education system and that same frustration eventually led to the unexpected firing of three Board of Education members.

“Stitt also this week replaced three of the Board of Education members who approved the rule, saying he is frustrated by the idea that children were being used as ‘political pawns,’” per AP.

The move personified the egregious relationship between Walters and Stitt, evident by their lack of communication, adding further dysfunction to the mix.

“‘I haven’t talked to Mr. Walters. So, I don’t think the relationship’s really good at all. After I read what he said, it didn’t, didn’t sound like he liked me too much,’ Gov. Stitt said.

Walters said, ‘There’s a lot of confusion going on over there at the governor’s office, I guess,’” according to KOTV News on 6.

To rock the ship even further, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a letter to the newly appointed Board of Education members, urging them to remember who they truly serve and to avoid serving neither the agenda of Gov. Stitt, nor Supt. Walters.

“‘While I welcome the Governor’s apparent ‘shake-up’ of the Board, this action is only necessary because of Gov. Stitt’s extremely poor judgment in appointing, promoting and then endorsing Ryan Walters and his anti-public schools agenda,’ wrote Drummond. ‘As a new board member, you must act independently of Gov. Stitt and Superintendent Walters. The oath of office you take is to the Constitution and Oklahoma law,’” per a News Release from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.

The letter could be a preliminary move toward Drummond establishing a political image for the upcoming governor’s race, which the Attorney General recently jumped into.

However, Drummond also issued an ultimatum which ridiculed both Stitt and Walters, that if either board member refused to serve the people of the Sooner State, the consequences would be swift.

“I encourage you to be a strong and independent voice serving our schools and students – not Governor Stitt or Superintendent Walters. I will not hesitate to take appropriate action if you fail the people of our state,” according to Drummond’s letter.

Learn about the Board of Education-related drama gripping the Oklahoma executive branch here and here.