Attorney General Gentner Drummond has commented on House Bill 1491, which aims to empower State Board of Education members by allowing them to add items to the board agenda. The bill received unanimous approval from the House Education Oversight Committee.
Drummond criticized Governor Kevin Stitt's past support for Superintendent Ryan Walters, stating, “Gov. Stitt promoted and supported Superintendent Ryan Walters every step of the way, even standing by the superintendent when he gave 'blanket approval' for the misspending of our tax dollars. Now that his handpicked superintendent refuses to do his bidding, Gov. Stitt wants to change the law to give his appointees full control of the education agenda.”
He further expressed skepticism about new appointees suggested by Governor Stitt, saying, “First, Gov. Stitt gave us Ryan Walters, and now he wants to give us new appointees he says will be better. We can only hope. Meanwhile, our schoolchildren rank in the Top Ten for worst-performing test scores."
Drummond praised legislative leaders for their efforts in addressing issues within Oklahoma's public education system: "I applaud our legislative leaders for doing what they can to clean up the mess that Gov. Stitt and Supt. Walters have made of our public education system." He also acknowledged their ability to act independently when necessary: "The Legislature has demonstrated time and again that it has the will and ability to do what is right for Oklahoma, even overriding Gov. Stitt's veto when necessary."
Expressing confidence in legislative actions moving forward, Drummond concluded with a hopeful note: "I have full confidence they will do what they believe is best for Oklahoma students."