What to expect in Wednesday’s State Board of Education special meeting

The big focus for Wednesday’s State Board of Education meeting surrounds staffing issues. The board last met more than a month ago. 

Board members want to hire a new attorney and will consider applications for a new secretary. The meeting comes after several disagreements between board members and State Superintendent Ryan Walters. 

OSDE TV controversy following a July executive session 

Following the last board meeting on July 24, several board members reported seeing naked women on a TV in Walters’ office. Walters accused the board of lying and even blamed Gov. Kevin Stitt, with no evidence. 

“The governor needs to answer the questions. Did you tell these board members to come in here and do this?” said Walters, during a July news conference after the board members reported the images. 

The investigation found that the material was from a movie 

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said an investigation discovered the material on the TV was from the 1985 Jackie Chan film “The Protector”. Hilbert said a scene from the movie was in line with what the board members described. It also ruled out Walters from intentionally playing inappropriate content. 

August 28 board meeting was cancelled last minute 

Last Thursday, the State Board of Education was supposed to meet for the first time since that investigation. OSDE canceled that meeting the day before. An OSDE spokesperson said they canceled the meeting due to “transitioning staff and legal team.” 

Board members threatened legal action  

Attorney Bob Burke, who represents four board members, threatened to take the issue to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Burke sent a letter to Walters that said, “I am prepared to ask the Oklahoma Supreme Court to issue a writ of mandamus and order you to set the special meeting.” 

The special meeting will consider hiring a new board attorney 

On Tuesday, OSDE posted an official agenda rescheduling the special meeting. One agenda item is to potentially hire a new board attorney. In August, board attorney Chad Kutmas stepped down from his position after several board members complained to the Attorney General’s Office. Board members will consider whether to hire Oklahoma City attorney Ryan Leonard. 

“The statute allows them to have their own attorney because their interest is not always the exact interest of the state superintendent,” said Burke, on Friday. 

Another agenda will consider applications for the “Appointment of Secretary for the State Board of Education.” 

Board members want to focus on improving Oklahoma education 

Burke said the point of Wednesday’s meeting is to get back to business and focus on students. 

“They want to get the side show that occurs all the time in the news off the cameras, and go on with the business of improving the quality of education in Oklahoma,” Burke said.