District Leaders Challenge Secretary Of Education's Tweet About Virtual Classes

Oklahoma Secretary of Education Ryan Walters is defending himself after some criticized a tweet he sent saying in part,

"Parents are tired and children suffer when administrators act out of fear and not in the best interest of their kids..."

 "I am unapologetic for standing for students I'm always going to do what I think is in the best interest of our kids,” Walters said. “I want to see our schools stay open."

 It comes as a growing number of districts across the state switch to virtual learning amid a rise in COVID-19 cases and staff shortages.

 "What I'm asking is administrators, all administrative staff cover subbing,” he said. “Let’s raise substitute pay, let's reach out to the community. I've been on the phone with a lot of school leaders that are doing this."

 Walters, a Republican appointed by Governor Stitt and a former teacher himself, is running for state superintendent. After his tweet, the Superintendent of Mid-Del Schools replied calling it both "insulting" and "a complete lack of situational understanding."

 Some politicians are also critical.

 "Teachers are saying this is the hardest year they ever taught,” said John Waldron. “Not just because of the pandemic, but because of this angry rhetoric which blames them for what’s going on."

 Tulsa Democratic Representative John Waldron is also a former teacher.

 He says the legislature is partly to blame for passing a law that prevents schools from requiring masks.

 "This is a crisis of our own making,” said Waldron. “And now that we're here, we're blaming the schools…Blaming the school for that, that's how you win elections, but it's not how you govern and it's now you maintain a good school system."

 Walters says more than 450 school districts are remaining in person and he is working with the Governor and districts statewide for solutions to keep more districts open.

 Walters says he's even making himself available to fill in and sub.