Weekly Opinion Editorial
WALTERS
RESIGNATION
by Steve
Fair
The Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF) was founded in 1991 by Washington
state legislator Robert Williams and political operative/consultant Lynn
Harsh. It is a 501c3 organization
promoting conservative causes. In March,
the Freedom Foundation started the Teacher Freedom Alliance (TFA). The TFA is an anti-union organization for
teachers that does not engage in collective bargaining with school districts. It exists to help removing existing teachers’
unions and providing liability insurance for classroom teachers. Oklahoma already has a similar organization-
Public Educators of Oklahoma (POE). One
of the founders of POE- Mike Tinney- is on the state school board.
On Wednesday on Fox News, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instructor
Ryan Walters announced he will be resigning in October to become the CEO
of the Teacher Freedom Alliance. Three
observations:
First,
Oklahoma's public education outcomes remain stagnant. For years, Oklahoma has lagged behind in education. The Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) lobbies
every year for legislators to increase teacher pay. They promise if teachers are paid more, test
outcomes will improve. That has yet to
happen. When Ryan Walters was elected,
he assured voters he would turn it around.
That didn't happen. The governor
and the legislature said they would fix public education by increasing teacher pay
to the regional average. That action
resulted in no significant improvement in test scores.
A major issue is over 50% of Oklahoma public education dollars are being
spent for non-classroom related activities.
That number hasn't changed in over 25 years. Republicans, who took control of the state legislature
in 2004, have dealt with public education largely the same way the Democrats
did before for a century before.
Sharing of school administration and infrastructure is discussed, but
never implemented. Consolidation of school
districts in rural areas is fought like the dickens. Oklahoma taxpayers fund more school buildings
and buses than any state per capita. Recognizing
the money isn't getting to the classroom and the unwillingness of parents to
take responsibility for the education of their child is dismissed by public
education leadership.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again,
expecting a different result. That is what
Oklahoma continues to do in public education.
Second, Walters is a self-promoter.
That's why he made the announcement on Fox News instead of local
media. He loves attention. Instead of making fundamental changes to
public education as he campaigned, Walters has spent his three years in office sensationalizing
and engaging in melodrama. He appears
angry and confrontational, even to those who agreed with him. He has alienated former allies and takes pride
in making political enemies. Oklahoma public
education hasn't improved during his tenure.
It remains static.
During his three years in office, Walters has amassed a loyal following
who believe he is faultless, unstained, and incorruptible. While Ryan Walters' political future is
uncertain, he has cultivated a formidable voter base. Don't be surprised if Walters runs for Oklahoma
governor.
Third, the next State Superintendent must take on the education
establishment. Governor Stitt will
appoint someone to serve out the remainder of Walter's term. The next Supper needs to focus on how tax
dollars are being spent in public education.
They should demand financial accountability. They should recognize they can't dictate
improvement in a public education with a memo or a news conference. It is going to take a plan to help Oklahoma parents
take equity in their kid's education. The next education czar needs to have the
courage to admit they don't know everything- a rare trait for a politician.
The reaction to Walters' departure varied. His political opponents held parties celebrating his resignation, while his allies blamed his detractors for pushing him out. No one doubts Ryan Walters has courage, but it more than courage to get thing done. It takes action, purpose, direction, commitment, and resilience to move policy forward. His inability to 'sell' his ideas before he held a news conference made him ineffective. Walters wasn't always wrong, nor was he always right, but Ryan was always in front of a camera.
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