State school board members could place items on agenda, under proposed bill

OKLAHOMA CITY — State legislators have proposed a change in state law that would allow members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education to place items on the board’s meeting agenda.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, with the support of Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton and Gov. Kevin Stitt, filed the amendment, which would allow any member of the State Board of Education to place an item on the meeting agenda as long as it is requested in writing by at least two board members. The item would be placed on the agenda for the next or subsequent meeting, as decided by the requesting members, according to the proposed amendment in House Bill 1491. Now, that power rests with the state superintendent of public instruction.

The proposal was approved unanimously last week by members of the House Education Oversight Committee, meaning it now proceeds to the full House.

“We have volunteer boards and commissions that play an important oversight function for state agencies for a reason, and the duly-appointed members of the State Board of Education should have a say in the agenda before them,” said Hilbert, R-Bristow. “This has been a longstanding issue that needs to be fixed. We have checks and balances on government intentionally built into our system and this legislation will help ensure the State Board of Education — no matter who is appointed or who is the chair — will be able to move the needle for Oklahoma kids.”

“The State Board of Education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our schools, and its members should have a clear and fair process for addressing key issues,” said Paxton, R-Tuttle. “This legislation ensures that every board member has a voice in setting the agenda, reinforcing transparency and accountability in our education system. With the current structure, the board is neutralized and has no say in shaping policy. Allowing this will provide a fair and more effective structure.”

“No one member should unilaterally control a board, especially one that directly impacts the outcomes of our students,” said Stitt. “It’s time to give a voice on the Board of Education to parents and students all across Oklahoma.”

Attorney General Gentner Drummond also released a comment on the issue, criticizing the action.

“Gov. Stitt promoted and supported Superintendent Ryan Walters every step of the way, even standing by the superintendent when he gave ‘blanket approval’ for the misspending of our tax dollars. Now that his handpicked superintendent refuses to do his bidding, Gov. Stitt wants to change the law to give his appointees full control of the education agenda,” Drummond said. “First, Gov. Stitt gave us Ryan Walters, and now he wants to give us new appointees he says will be better. We can only hope. Meanwhile, our schoolchildren rank in the Top Ten for worst-performing test scores.

“I applaud our legislative leaders for doing what they can to clean up the mess that Gov. Stitt and Supt. Walters have made of our public education system. The Legislature has demonstrated time and again that it has the will and ability to do what is right for Oklahoma, even overriding Gov. Stitt’s veto when necessary. I have full confidence they will do what they believe is best for Oklahoma students.”