Comanche County superintendents await guidance on new curriculum

Comanche County superintendents are awaiting guidance after State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ mandate to include the Bible and Ten Commandment in school curriculum was released in late June.

Seven Comanche county school districts said they’re awaiting guidance and either can’t say anything, are waiting to hear more or don’t expect to hear more.

Lawton Superintendent Kevin Hime said they have not received any guidance from the state but will continue to teach the current state approved curriculum.

“Our students have access to religious text that is approved and aligned with the Oklahoma State Academic Standards,” Hime said. “We will continue to work with our leadership, administrators and educators to provide students with what they deserve: providing the best educational experience with resources and opportunities in a safe, respectful and supportive environment.”

Chad Hance, Cache Public Schools Superintendent, said they aren’t expecting guidance anytime soon.

“I think it’ll be shut down in court,” Hance said.

For now, Cache Public Schools will plan for the school year in general, Hance said.

One of the major things the superintendents discussed was the importance of adhering to Oklahoma Academic Standards. These standards set expectations for what students should learn by the end of the school year.

Don Wise, Indiahoma Public Schools Superintendent, said they can’t spend public funds on religious purposes, noting some teachers are not experts at teaching religion.

Schools are not allowed to force any religion on students, according to FindLaw’s website. Doing so violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This means schools can’t have prayers led by teachers or school officials and teach religious practices as fact. Public education must remain neutral when it comes to religion.

Nate Meraz, Elgin Public Schools Superintendent, said there are no standards of teaching religion in schools.

“We can’t teach a certain religion,” Meraz said.

In Walter’s memo, it stated the Bible and Ten Commandments will be used as “an instructional support into the curriculum across specified grade levels.” Meraz has concerns about what that means.

“Most of us don’t know what ‘instructional support’ means,” Meraz said.

Meraz said attorneys at the Center for Education Law mentioned “…the memo is without legal authority and invalid under Oklahoma law…”

None of the superintendents know who will supply the Bibles, what kind of curriculum will be set up or how to teach the new curriculum. Walters said the curriculum will be set forth immediately.