Oklahoma Ex-Superintendent Ryan Walters Under Investigation for Misuse of Funds

Ryan Walters' Controversial Tenure

• 🎯 Ryan Walters, former Oklahoma Superintendent of Schools, is under scrutiny following his resignation.
• 💡 His tenure was marked by controversies, including partnering with PragerU, promoting "Trump Bibles" in schools, and bringing "Libs of TikTok" to Oklahoma City schools.
• ⚠️ A notable incident involved naked images displayed on a smart TV during a public meeting, leading to an investigation but no charges against Walters.

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement

• 💰 Following his resignation, an audit of the Department of Education's spending practices during Walters' leadership has been requested by Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
• 🔍 The audit will cover the period from January 9th, 2023, to September 30th, 2024, focusing on concerns raised by current and former education department staff.
• 🤝 There are suspicions that Walters may have provided "sweetheart deals" for high-paying jobs to friends, some of whom may not have even been in Oklahoma.

PragerU Curriculum and Educational Standards

• 📚 Walters' administration implemented controversial social studies standards and promoted PragerU curriculum, which included problematic views on slavery.
• 📜 One PragerU video suggested that slaves were better off being slaves in America than free in Africa, a viewpoint criticized as historically inaccurate and harmful.
• ⚖️ Lawsuits are ongoing against the new social studies standards, which are currently on hold in the courts.

Changes to the Department of Education Website

• 🌐 Updates to the Department of Education website reflect a shift away from Walters' initiatives, removing links to controversial content like the "America First" test for teachers and PragerU partnerships.
• ✅ The reinstatement of the educators' hall of fame signifies a move towards restoring normalcy after what many considered a controversial reign.
• 📉 Despite these changes, Oklahoma's educational standing remains a concern, with educators and representatives calling for a return to previous standards.