Christianist OK Gov And Far-Right OK Schools Chief Attack Each Other As Students Rank In Natl Bottom 10

The Oklahoma Voice reports:

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday replaced three of his appointees to the Oklahoma State Board of Education, criticizing the state’s top school board for driving up “needless political drama” rather than academic results. The board shakeup follows “ongoing controversy at the Oklahoma State Department of Education and disappointing scores on the (biennial) National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP),” according to the governors’ announcement.

NAEP scores released last month showed Oklahoma again scored in the bottom 10 of the nation in reading and math. ​​“After months of headlines followed by disappointing NAEP scores this month, it’s clear that our education infrastructure has fallen prey to needless political drama,” Stitt said. “If we want to be the best state for business, we need to make sure our kids have a path to success. It’s time for some fresh eyes and a renewed focus on our top ten goals.”

Oklahoma City’s Fox affiliate reports:

The move is a major policy departure for Stitt who has previously let State Superintendent Ryan Walters (R) guide the agency. Stitt is repeatedly on record as saying when reporters would ask him about things happening at OSDE that “that is his agency” referring to Walters and his management of OSDE.

The shake up means Donald Burdick, Kendra Wesson, and Katie Quebedeaux were dismissed from the board.

The shake up comes at the same time OSDE Communications Director Dan Isett has also left the agency. When reporters began to reach out to Isett for a statement from Walters on the board shake up, Isett told reporters his last day with the agency was on Monday.

Walters is widely expected to run for governor. Stitt, who has claimed “every inch of Oklahoma in the name of Christ Jesus,” will be term-limited out of office next year.