Oklahoma Board of Education Cancels Meeting Amid Superintendent Investigation

The Oklahoma State Board of Education has canceled its August 28 meeting due to transitions within agency staff and the legal team, marking the second cancellation this year. This meeting would have been the first since allegations surfaced that State Superintendent Ryan Walters had displayed full-frontal nudity on a television during a closed-door executive session, an accusation he has vehemently denied, claiming it to be a political attack. Investigations by the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and the State Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert concluded that the images were from 1980s action films, including a Jackie Chan movie, but the District Attorney's office has yet to release findings or press charges. Meanwhile, some state lawmakers express concern that Walters is attempting to implement education policy changes, such as a controversial "Woke Test" for teachers, without board or legislative approval. Walters defends his policies, emphasizing efforts to maintain Oklahoma's education standards and reject what he describes as indoctrination from other states. The ongoing tensions between the superintendent and board members highlight challenges in Oklahoma's education governance amid significant policy shifts and administrative controversies.