State Superintendent Ryan Walters emailed every Oklahoma superintendent, saying he’s requiring all Oklahoma schools play a roughly 90 second video to all kids who are enrolled and send it to their parents.
There was some confusion after the video went out, Bixby and Edmond Public Schools, said that OSDE recalled the email sent to them before resending the original video, and email with no changes.
Walters has clarified that the video and emails were recalled because of an issue with the link which was corrected in the second email.
In the video, Walters prays for Oklahoma kids and stresses that students do not have to join him in prayer.
He also explains why he created the Department of Religious Liberty and Patriotism within the State Department of Education and its role.
“”Dear God, thank you for all the blessings you’ve given our country. I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions, I pray inparticular for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country. I pray for our parents, teachers and kids that they get the best education possible and live high quality lives. I also pray that we continue to teach love of country to our young people, and that our students understand what makes America great and that they continue to love this country. Amen.”
Several districts have confirmed that they received an email from Walters late Thursday night containing the video of Walters praying and instructions for Oklahoma school districts to have students view it and send it to parents.
News On 6 and News 9 have reached out to districts across the state with several saying they are electing not to show the video. Those schools are Bixby Public Schools, Caney Valley Public Schools, Edmonds Public Schools, Union Public Schools, Owasso Public Schools, Jenks Public Schools, Tulsa Public Schools, and Preston Public Schools.
“I think there’s a fine line over what is our responsibility as a school and what is the family’s responsibility. Everyone has the right to choose where they go to school and has a right to choose where they go to church, but for us to think that it’s our job to impose our will on students’ religious freedoms, it’s not going to happen here,” said Preston Public Schools Superintendent.
Kellyville Public Schools, Collinsville Public Schools, and Oologah Public Schools have not yet responded.
The Office of the Attorney General sent the following statement:
“There is no statutory authority for the state schools superintendent to require all students to watch a specific video. Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents’ rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights.”
Mustang Public Schools addressed the directive in a letter to families saying,
“We have received questions about a recent directive from State Superintendent Ryan Walters asking school districts to share a video with families and students. Mustang Public Schools has no plans to interrupt the instructional day to show or send this video; there is no authority or requirement for us to do so. Mr. Walters, through his agencies, has the means to distribute this video should he choose.
Our focus remains on using the school day for local curriculum and activities, thoughtfully developed by our educators and approved by our local school board. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out directly.”
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.
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The full video can be found below.