Summary
Here's another tale about a religious zealot whose private behavior contradicts his public morality. In this case, it is Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Schools, Ryan Walters. He wants Bibles in the classroom but has pictures of naked women on his work computer. That's the story in a nutshell. If you are pressed for time, you can stop here. But for those interested in the details and my editorializing, the fuller version of Walters' hypocritical depravity is next.
A failing school system and its boss
Oklahoma's educational system is substandard. It ranks anywhere from 45th to 50th among US states. The mission of the Superintendent of Schools is clear. Improve Oklahoma kids' scores in the three "Rs" — reading, 'riting, 'rithmatic. However, the current Superintendent, Ryan Walters, has a fourth "R" in mind — religion.
Walters has made it clear he is a crusader whose mission is to thrust his version of the Christian God into public school classrooms (including the 'Trump Bible'). He claims Divine guidance for his actions. His critics claim he is a Bible Belt publicity hound using religion to promote his personal brand. I cannot read Walters' mind. But I can judge him on his actions.
And his actions paint him as both failing his fundamental mission — boosting academic outcomes in the Sooner state — and as another religious hypocrite.
Naked women on a work computer
Sexual morality is a big topic for the Bible thumpers — usually other people's. They live by the philosophy, "Do what I say, not what I do." According to two members of Oklahoma's state education board, Walters had pictures of naked women on his office computer. If there is an educational reason for nudes on a work computer, I am unaware of it. It isn't as if Walters is a sex ed teacher.
This is how KOCO TV5 reported on a meeting between Walters and the two board members.
According to the Oklahoman, Oklahoma State Board of Education members Ryan Deatherage and Becky Carson said they saw the nude women on the TV while they were in the meeting with Walters.
The two released statements outlining their reaction to Walters
In a statement, Carson said, "I was appointed to the State Board of Education to serve Oklahoma students to the best of my ability. The images that board members were exposed to yesterday in this meeting were inappropriate to say the least. There has to be accountability."
Deatherage also released a statement, saying, "As an appointed member of the Oklahoma School Board, it is my top priority to protect the well-being of Oklahoma students. We hold educators to the strictest of standards when it comes to explicit material. The standard for the superintendent should be no different."
As a member of the 'more sinned against than sinning' attack school of defense, Walters impugned his accusers and accused them of expedient antagonism.
Walters responded to the accusations Friday evening, saying, "Some of these board members are blatantly dishonest and cannot hide their political agenda. It is disappointing that they are more interested in creating distractions than getting work done for Oklahoma families."
I am not familiar with Carson and Deatherage's politics. But as the state education board members in Oklahoma are picked by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate, both under absolute Republican control, it is safe to say they are not liberals.
That doesn't matter to a man desperate to get out from under accusations of keeping porn on state property. The rest of Walter's defense consists of further unsubstantiated allegations. (Note. I'm calling it porn because Walters is denying having nude pictures, not claiming the material in question is acceptable.)
The reaction
If Walters was expecting full-throated exculpation from his boss, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, and his Republican teammates, he will be frustrated.
Gov. Kevin Stitt offered this on Friday:
"I trust and appreciate my board members. They are volunteers who are sacrificing their time to serve Oklahoma students. Should these allegations be true, all I can say is that I am profoundly disappointed."
The message is clear. Stitt does not extend his trust and appreciation to Walters. And it is not the board members who risk his profound disappointment.
Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton described the scenario as "bizarre" and "troubling" in a statement issued Friday.
"This is a bizarre and troubling situation that raises serious questions about the events and what took place during yesterday's executive session at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. The accounts made public by board members paint a strange, unsettling scene that demands clarity and transparency."
Senate Education Chair Adam Pugh called for more explanation and transparency about the alleged incident in a statement.
"The reports coming out of Thursday's Board of Education meeting raise a number of questions. This is a situation that warrants further explanation and transparency."
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert also released a statement about the accusations. And pointedly told Walters to allow a full investigation if he wanted to clear his record.
"These are serious allegations made by two members of the State Board and an expeditious third-party review is warranted. I urge the State Superintendent to unlock and turn over all relevant devices and fully cooperate with an investigation. If no wrongdoing occurred, a prompt and transparent review should quickly clear his name."
It doesn't sound to me as if these state officials expect Walters to come out smelling like roses. And they work with the man.
