Is it political theater or real change in Oklahoma public education?
That’s the question at the heart of a shakeup Gov. Kevin Stitt made Feb. 11 by removing three members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education and nominating replacements to be confirmed by the state Senate.
The highly unusual move comes as State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters continues to make headlines and draw lawsuits — 18 and counting — for his theocratic vision of public education.
Walters, who came to office with the help of Stitt, blasted the governor on X Tuesday: “Governor Stitt has joined the swampy political establishment that President Trump is fighting against. The board members that stood with us, working with the Trump administration to make our schools safer and better, have been fired for political purposes. Every Oklahoman should be clear this move undermines Oklahoma kids and parents and an America First agenda. Stitt believes that the federal government, and not the people, need to continue to control our country. This is disappointing but not surprising. We’ll keep fighting for school choice, parents, kids, and our teachers.”
“Governor Stitt has joined the swampy political establishment that President Trump is fighting against.”
Even as Trump threatens to shutter the U.S. Department of Education and send most public education decisions back to the states, Walters stands out as the most incendiary public education leader in any U.S. state. He has ordered every classroom to be stocked with Christian Bibles and for every teacher to teach from those Bibles — one of several edicts currently being challenged in court.
But not everyone watching the governor’s actions today sees them at face value.
An X user who goes by the handle Okie Rancher weighed in: “Posting this again just so no one is misled. This is total theater. Stitt is trying to help Walters in his bid for governor by letting him play the ‘true’ Trump champion while pretending this is some kind of chastising. In reality, the three new board appointees are Walters’ fans (Tinney founded POE which paid Walter’s to speak, endorsed, etc.) I’ll be voting Republican in the governor race, but not for this twit. The games people play are so ridiculous — though playing Walters’ fans for fools is a safe bet.”
Ryan Walters
Stitt is term-limited as governor and will be replaced by whoever wins the 2026 race. Oklahoma remains a deeply red state politically, and Walters is widely rumored to be a likely contender.
In making the personnel changes to the State Board of Education, Stitt cited “ongoing controversy” at the Oklahoma State Department of Education and disappointing standardized test scores.
Those removed by the governor are Kendra Wesson of Norman; Katie Quebedeaux of Guymon and Donald Burdick of Tulsa. The new appointees are Ryan Deatherage of Kingfisher, Michael Tinney of Norman and Chris VanDenhende of Tulsa.
The board has seven members — with the state superintendent among them and acting as chair — but currently has a vacancy because a state senator refused to carry one of Stitt’s nominations before the Senate, according to The Oklahoman. That seat remains vacant.
Remaining board members are Sarah Lepak of Claremore and Zachary Archer of Hammon.
Oklahoma ranks among the worst states in the nation on education scorecards. Walters has advanced various controversial — and often religious — fixes that have not moved that needle.
The Oklahoman also reported: “During Walters’ two years in office, no member of the board has ever cast a vote opposite him in any meeting, something that’s drawn the attention of legislators.”
Although Stitt is the one who appointed Walters as the state’s superintendent in September 2020 — when his successor resigned to run unsuccessfully for governor — the two conservatives have been at odds lately.
The Oklahoman gave one example: “During Stitt’s State of the State speech on Feb. 3, he recognized Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller for promoting cellphone-free schools. Walters sat stone-faced on the House floor while Miller received a standing ovation from lawmakers. Miller sued Walters after Walters called him ‘a liar and a clown’ during a news conference in July, and that case remains pending.”
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