Q&A: Oklahoma’s Attorney General offers advice for new board of education members

Oklahoma's attorney general offered an opinion one day after the governor replaced three State Board of Education members. Gentner Drummond said checks and balances were long overdue within the Oklahoma State Department of Education. 

Q: What happened to OSDE? 

A: Earlier this week, Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed three new board members to the State Board of Education and removed three others. The move came after concerns grew about the board's new immigration policy for Oklahoma Schools. 

Stitt said he wanted “fresh eyes” on the board and was disappointed children were being used as “political pawns.” Stitt expressed his frustration in front of a room of journalists on Wednesday. 

“I think this is why Oklahomans hate politicians so much,” said Stitt, at Wednesday’s news conference. “Do the job you’re elected to do. That’s what drives me crazy.” 

Q: Why did Oklahoma’s AG write a letter to the new board members 

A: Drummond wrote a letter congratulating the three new board members. Drummond said he advised the board members to serve the people – not the person who sits in the superintendent’s chair. 

“Encourage the new board members to follow the law,” Drummond said. 

It is important to note that Drummond is running for governor. He has been critical of both Walters and Stitt in the past. 

Q: What did the letter say? 

A: Drummond’s letter said in part,

“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. 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.” 

Drummond said he hopes the board members act “independently” from Walters. He requested they use “reasonable skepticism” when weighing decisions on future rule changes in public education. 

“Let the rule of law carry the day,” Drummond said. “Don’t tolerate this anymore. We can’t afford it. If it’s a crazy idea, don’t endorse it.” 

What’s next for Oklahoma Schools regarding immigration enforcement? 

A: Despite pushback from Stitt and Drummond on immigration enforcement within Oklahoma Schools, Walters said he will continue to push immigration standards from the Trump administration. 

“I am gonna work with President Trump,” Walters said. “I am gonna work with I.C.E. We are gonna continue to work to make sure our schools are safe."

Drummond said immigration enforcement is designed for adults who break the law. He said children in Oklahoma schools are protected. Drummond said Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E) agents will not be used to target schools in Oklahoma. 

“It’s against the law to target [people],” Drummond said. “We’re not gonna do that.” 

Q: What’s next for OSDE? 

A: Walters and Stitt traded criticisms with one another on Wednesday fracturing a once solid relationship between the two leaders. Walters was disappointed in the decision to remove board members but he said he looked forward to working with the new board members in the coming weeks.