TULSA, Okla. — Governor Kevin Stitt announced on February 11 that he has replaced three members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, but their new appointments still need approval from the State Senate.
While some Republican lawmakers were hesitant to comment on this fresh development, Democrat Rep. John Waldron from Tulsa remarked that it was not surprising. He noted there had been rumors floating around about the changes and even mentioned that Attorney General Gentner Drummond hinted at it in a recent class.
The members being replaced are childcare administrator Katie Quebedeaux, oil and gas businessman Donald Burdick, and accountant Kendra Wesson. All three had consistently supported State Superintendent Ryan Walters during board meetings.
The new nominees are Ryan Deatherage, who leads emergency management in Kingfisher County; Michael Tinney, an attorney in the oil and gas sector from Norman; and Chris VanDenhende from Tulsa, who recently served on the Regional University System’s board of regents.
Rep. Waldron expressed cautious optimism about these changes, stating, “It’s a good start. Any change is potentially a good thing.” In contrast, Superintendent Walters criticized the governor’s decision as politically motivated, suggesting it puts him at odds with former President Trump.
“Privately, many of my colleagues recognize that the superintendent is not helpful for public education, and they’d like to see change,” Waldron added. A fourth appointment is expected soon, which will also go through the Senate before the legislative session concludes.
Check out this related article: Iowa Senate GOP Approves 2% Boost in Education Funding: What This Means for Schools and Students
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