(The Center Square) - Twenty Oklahoma House Republicans signed on to a letter authored by Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, calling for a committee to investigate State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters.
McBride, who chairs the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education, lists six actions taken recently by the State Board of Education and Walters in the letter to House Speaker Charles McCall. The first one is the refusal of the board to allow McBride and committee members into an executive session. McBride also questions Walters' refusal to file responses to Open Records Act requests.
Walters' decision to rescind money for school security from some districts was also questioned.
"The pattern of overreach, disregard for legislative oversight and policy-making and lack of concern for student safety and budgetary stability led me to write this letter..." McBride said in asking for a "Special Investigative Committee on the State Department of Education."
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson said Democrats requested five investigations and they have waited long enough.
"After a long history of allegations of misuse of federal tax dollars, inciting bomb threats and deadly violence in Oklahoma schools, and routinely ignoring the Oklahoma Constitution, it is time for Republicans to take action," Munson said. "Republicans hold the power in both legislative chambers and the Governor’s mansion—it is time for them to use their power to hold the State Superintendent accountable to the people of Oklahoma."
McCall said he has not heard a similar request from the Senate and will not consider the request until 51 or more Republicans sign the letter. As of Tuesday afternoon, 20 Republicans signed the letter.
"Additionally, many of the areas requested to be investigated as articulated by the letter are best addressed in the Committee hearings which are conducted by the Legislature presession when we ask the agency to account for the dollars appropriated and the agency’s plan going forward," McCall said in a statement to the Republican Caucus provided to The Center Square.
The Legislature does not conduct criminal investigations, McCall said in response to the alleged open records and open meetings violations. Those investigations are up to the attorney general's office, the House Speaker said.
"From the documentation attached to the request, it appears that the Attorney General is aware of the potential violation," McCall said. "Investigations by the Legislature are limited to the use of appropriated dollars and internal discipline, unless the AG finds a criminal violation did occur, and the State Superintendent is charged and convicted with a crime. In that case, the House would likely have something to consider."
Attorney General Gentner Drummond sent Walters a letter on July 16 saying his office had received an "alarming" number of complaints" about open records requests sent to the State Department of Education and requesting response by Aug. 9. A spokesperson for the attorney general told The Center Square the office had no further comment.
A spokesman for Walters did not immediately return a message from The Center Square seeking comment.
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