Oklahoma Updates Bible Procurement for Schools

The Oklahoma State Department of Education has revised its Request for Proposal (RFP) for vendors supplying Bibles to public schools after criticism that the initial requirements favored Bibles endorsed by Donald Trump. The amended RFP now allows the inclusion of U.S. historical documents to be bound separately from the Bibles and introduces 'price' as a criterion for evaluation. The deadline for submissions has been extended from October 14 to October 21. State Superintendent Ryan Walters emphasized that the process is intended to be fair and inclusive, denying any intent to favor specific vendors. Critics remain concerned about the implications of placing Bibles in classrooms, with some school districts planning to resist the mandate. The changes were influenced by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to ensure compliance with legal standards and to enhance taxpayer value.