Department of Education updates public comment policy, restricts items, limits speakers
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma State Department of Education is holding a board meeting Thursday morning and it's making some changes to public comment.
Speakers will be chosen at random with a limited number being able to talk.
Backpacks, purses, or similar items will also not be allowed unless it's necessary for healthcare, childcare, or ADA purposes.
Before the board meeting starts, a sign-up sheet will be available at 8:15 a.m. and will be removed at 9:25 a.m. Thursday.
The board's chairman may decide to extend the time limit for public comment, but can also interrupt or terminate any presentation.
In a statement on Wednesday State Superintendent Ryan Walters said:
For months, we have seen organized activists attempt to monopolize the public’s access to our open meetings. That ends today. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to have their voice heard at our meetings and I long as I preside over them, all Oklahomans will have that opportunity.
FOX 25 reached out to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office asking if these changes are legally allowed.
The AG's Office said, "As there are no statutory requirements for public comment, these parameters would appear to be allowable."
Despite the rule changes being allowed, there's still some pushback.
Cathryn Oakley, the Human Rights Campaign Senior Director of Legal Policy, released a statement criticizing Walters, saying he's failing to meet the needs of Oklahoma students, and is putting his own ego and political ambition ahead of the job.
The statement reads:
Ryan Walters pledged never to back down - so why is he throwing out usual procedure for public comment at State Board of Education meetings and instead hand-selecting the public testimony he wants to hear? His so-called commitment to transparency is as flimsy as his courage - because bullies hate to be held accountable. Walters is yet again demonstrating his abject failure to serve the needs of Oklahoma students and is yet again putting his own ego and political ambition ahead of the basics of doing his job. Walters needs to explain to Oklahomans why he doesn’t believe he needs to hear their concerns.
State Superintendent Ryan Walters is expected to have an update on issues with the Biden Administration, kids' safety, and the Tulsa Summer School Program.
There will also be a presentation and discussion regarding Tulsa Public Schools' accreditation status.
You can read the full agenda and see changes to the public comments policy below.
For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.