Thread by @tylertalley22

State Superintendent Ryan Walters says he inherited an “absolute dumpster fire” from Joy Hofmeister at the State Department of Education. He just referred to the Teachers Union as a “terrorist organization.” #okleg #oklaed

Walters says 37 resignations and 7 firings at OSDE since last year, adds some were junior level and others higher level. Seventeen positions have been eliminated. Nine positions his agency is looking to fill.

Walters: We are 49th in education outcomes, that meant some folks had to go.

Education is not my typical beat nor am I good at live tweeting. There are plenty of great #oklaed reporters in this room, follow along with them.

Walters: School choice has to happen.

Under an hour in and we’ve finally gotten to “radical indoctrination” in Oklahoma schools.

Rep. Marcus McEntire worries Walters is broadening CRT to something it isn’t. Walters says 1775 specified what CRT is, adds that’s the definition OSDE is operating under.

.@Monichols asks Walters to explain his earlier comparison of the teachers’ union to a terrorist organization. #okleg #oklaed

Walters: I’m going to do exactly what I said on the campaign trail. We’re going to get indoctrination out of our schools, I’m going to empower parents.

Walters: I’m not going to be politically correct.

Noting his past rhetoric, Rep. Regina Goodwin asks Walters how he best represents Oklahoma.

.@ForrestBennett tells Walters his rhetoric is “incredibly damaging” to Oklahoma, encourages him to meet with teachers who disagree with him prior to a question. Walters says there have been a lot of lies from teachers unions, Democrats.

Walters: The more we have school choice, the more transparency we get from parents.

Rep. Cyndi Munson asks Walters what his plan to retain teachers beyond pays. Walters says we’ve got to take on classroom management, classroom discipline.

Munson asks if rhetoric can be put away to address actual problems facing teachers. Walters reaffirms campaign promise to rid schools of indoctrination, argues that and supporting teachers can both be done.

Walters: I don’t care if I offend you, I don’t care if I trigger you.
Reiterates radical leftists are the ones behind the division in our classrooms.

WATCH: Today’s meeting ends abruptly after @ForrestBennett asks Walters about his video today calling for the Bible to be included in public schools, noting that could viewed as indoctrination. The beginning of Walters’ answer did not go over well with Democrats. #okleg #oklaed