Transparency is a fundamental principle of good governance, particularly in education, where decisions directly impact students, educators, and communities. Unfortunately, under the leadership of Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has repeatedly failed to uphold this principle. From breaking open meeting laws to excluding key stakeholders from important discussions, Walters' administration has operated in a manner that raises serious concerns about what is being hidden from the public.
Key Examples of Lack of Transparency:
Breaking the Open Meeting Law
The OSDE, under Walters’ direction, has been accused of violating Oklahoma’s Open Meeting Law, which is designed to ensure that public business is conducted in an open and transparent manner.
According to reports, the OSDE held closed-door sessions without proper public notice or access, a clear violation of the state’s open meeting requirements. These meetings, which should have been open to the public, were instead conducted in secrecy, depriving Oklahomans of their right to be informed about decisions that affect the education system.
Source: KOCO - "OSDE accused of breaking meeting law"
This breach of transparency not only violates the law but also erodes public trust. When government agencies conduct business behind closed doors, it raises questions about what decisions are being made and why they are being kept from the public eye. Such actions suggest that Walters and his administration may be more interested in controlling the narrative than in ensuring accountability.
Excluding Lawmakers from Critical Meetings
In a particularly concerning move, three state lawmakers were barred from attending an OSDE meeting, despite their roles in overseeing educational policy and funding.
During a closed-door session, these legislators—who play a crucial role in shaping and overseeing state education policies—were shut out of a meeting where important decisions were being discussed. This exclusion sparked outrage and was quickly addressed by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office, which asserted that the legislators had a right to be present.
Source: News9 - "3 state lawmakers shut out of closed-door OSDE meeting"
Excluding legislators from these meetings not only hampers effective oversight but also diminishes the democratic process. It creates a barrier between elected officials and the decisions that impact their constituents, leading to a lack of accountability and further undermining trust in the OSDE under Walters' leadership.
Ignoring the Attorney General’s Directive
Following the exclusion of legislators, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office stepped in, stating that the State School Board must allow legislators into executive sessions.
The Attorney General’s directive emphasized the legal obligation of the OSDE to operate transparently and include lawmakers in discussions that affect public education. Despite this clear guidance, the incident highlighted a troubling pattern of behavior within Walters’ administration, where transparency is often disregarded in favor of secrecy.
Source: KFOR - "Attorney General’s Office: State School Board must let legislators into executive session"
Ignoring such directives from the Attorney General not only shows a blatant disregard for the rule of law but also sets a dangerous precedent for how the OSDE operates. If left unchecked, this lack of transparency could lead to further unaccountable decision-making, which ultimately harms Oklahoma’s students and educators.
Ryan Walters’ tenure as State Superintendent has been marked by a troubling lack of transparency, from breaking open meeting laws to excluding key stakeholders from critical discussions. These actions not only violate legal standards but also erode public trust in the state’s educational leadership. Transparency is essential for accountability, and without it, the decisions made by Walters and his administration will continue to be questioned and mistrusted.
Oklahomans deserve a transparent and accountable government, especially in the education system that shapes the future of our children. It’s time to demand that our leaders operate in the open, respect the rule of law, and ensure that all voices are heard. Contact your representatives to express your concerns about the lack of transparency in the OSDE and to advocate for greater accountability from Ryan Walters and his administration.