Jim Wilson, Executive Director of One Oklahoma Campaign Coalition, said the flyers should not have been distributed at a Yukon school.
The Yukon School Superintendent approved the distribution of the flyers. He said it was not intended to take a position on State Question 744.News9.com
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Opponents of State Question 744 have criticized the Yukon School District for passing out flyers they believe support the controversial measure.
The flyers were handed out to students at Skyview Elementary School. Under the heading "How 744 Can Improve Our Schools," one flyer stated:
- We can provide our children with the education and tools they need to succeed in today's economy.
- Oklahoma will be able to compete with states like Texas and Arkansas to retain and attract the best teachers.
- Today our kids are forced to use outdated textbooks, share old computers and sit in overcrowded classrooms - they deserve better.
See the flyers.
Jim Wilson is the Executive Director of One Oklahoma Campaign Coalition, a group dedicated to making sure State Question 744 doesn't pass. He said the flyers may not say vote yes on 744, but he believed the message was clear.
"A school is a place for learning and, quite frankly, the idea that they are being used for political purposes should be galling to most Oklahomans," Wilson said. "I was surprised but more than that, I am disappointed. Our schools and our students shouldn't be used for propaganda purposes."
Bill Denton, the Yukon School Superintendent, approved the distribution of the flyers. He said it was not intended to take a position on State Question 744.
"I felt that and was assured the material was neutral and didn't advocate voting yes or no," Denton said. "I don't think it's my job to tell people how to vote, but it is my job to alert them of the concerns in our schools and where our funding is and to have factual information handed out to our patrons."
The Vote Yes on 744 Campaign supported Denton's statements, saying the flyers were simply informational and contained nothing but facts. Critics said that's difficult to believe when the flyers looked eerily similar to campaign materials created by the Vote Yes on 744 Campaign.
"Parents and Oklahoma voters need to understand that this wrong, even if it isn't quite illegal," Denton said. "It's certainly not ethical and it doesn't pass the smell test."
