We are a nondenominational coalition of pastors from across Oklahoma who educate on church partnerships and advocate good policy for
#OklaEd
public school kids.
"Besides the ethical, financial, social and political issues it raises, it conflicts with religious freedom. For Baptists, this is reason enough to resist efforts to fund private education with public funds."
#OklaEd
"The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries."
― James Madison (1803)
“I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute...where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference..."
-John F. Kennedy
That Supt. Ryan Walters considers traumatic, violent rape as causing sexual excitement instead of emotionally impacting the reader AGAINST this kind of trauma says more about HIM than the vast majority of
#OklaEd
parents that want their high school students reading these books.
“…We specifically oppose tuition tax credits, school vouchers, or any other mechanism that directly or indirectly allows government funds to support religious schools at the primary and secondary level.” (Book of Resolutions, 5012)
It’s a terrible day in our country when the judicial system is weaponized against former President Donald Trump. There is nothing that the Democratic Party and Biden won’t do to rig an election.
So the argument is
@GovStitt
with an estimated net worth of $20 million needs a government handout to send his kids to their private school???
While schools that serve
#OklaEd
's poorest children are systematically defunded and our communities further segregated and divided?
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has three children in private schools, said his family plans to take advantage of a new income tax credit for private schools.
#oklaed
We spent $4 MILLION just to set up a private school voucher program, mostly for those wealthy enough to already attend private schools.
But won't spend the same to administer a 3-month program to feed starving
#OklaEd
kids.
We see you,
@GovStitt
. 👀
@JD__Baker
@pastors4OKkids
$40/month per poor kid… and we are worried about how to administer this program.
$5,000-7,500 to rich kids and we have no problems with that program, even though it’s clear they had no idea how to administer THAT program.
They approve of
#Wealth
-fare for the wealthy
Secretary Ryan Walters claims that
#OklaEd
schools are indoctrinating students with left-wing politics. How long has this been going on? In a state that voted 100% Republican...in every county in 2020, does this sound like reality or fantasy?
Porn? So is Tulsa’s Bishop Kelley Catholic School also “embracing porn”? 🤦♂️
You know a private voucher school?
Local communities are in charge of their school libraries not you
@RyanWaltersSupt
!
SS Walters is getting exposed as a charlatan by our journalists.
✅ Walters CAUSED the Class Wallet fraud
✅ Walters stopped talking about porn when there was zero evidence
✅ Walters constantly moves the goalposts to try and divert attention to his latest fantasy: TPS now
Reminder for those new to
#OklaEd
, Supt. Ryan Walters has:
⛔️ No experience whatsoever as a superintendent
⛔️ No involvement as an administrator
⛔️ No track record of turning around any school
⛔️ No evidence of ever having improved test scores
⛔️ No accountability himself
“I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute...where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference..."
-John F. Kennedy
Ya’ll know this isn’t normal right? Three of Gov. Stitt’s appointees work under investigation?
-Elliot Chambers at CLO
-Jerry Winchester at Tourism/Swadleys
-Ryan Walters at Class Wallet/CARES
"The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries."
― James Madison (1803)
"The percentage of economically disadvantaged students is 75.8% in TPS and 91.4% in Oklahoma City...Public education needs support instead of attacks. Oklahoma's children are Oklahoma's future."
#OklaEd
"He vowed to require teachers here to undergo patriotic education training offered by a small, ultra-conservative, Christian college in Michigan called Hillsdale College..."
#OklaEd
"Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond told a national publication early last week that he is concerned about the melding of religion and government into a form of Christian nationalism."
#OklaEd
Observing the "states rights" folks now flip-flopping to "SCOTUS knows best" authoritarianism when the Oklahoma Constitution clearly says NO RELIGIOUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS is fascinating.
#OklaEd
Locally elected school boards should make local decisions. Not bureaucrats in OKC. Local schools are better served by local leaders, not partisan politicians.
@GovStitt
do the right thing.
"The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries."
― James Madison (1803)
65% - most applicants for Oklahoma's new private school voucher have household incomes over $150,000 per year.
Welfare for the wealthy. How conservative is that?
#OklaEd
The Oklahoma Tax Commission has approved 11,600 applications for new private school tax credits, all from families who have a household income of $150,000 or less.
#okleg
Porn? So is Tulsa’s Bishop Kelley Catholic School also “embracing porn”? 🤦♂️
You know a private voucher school?
Local communities are in charge of their school libraries not you
@RyanWaltersSupt
!
"Since Walters believes the Ten Commandments should be in every classroom, let’s look at No. 9: THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS. It is more than not lying. It means you don’t say something unless you have positive proof it is true."
#OklaEd
"Walters is using his office to politicize himself and his own personal opinions on a variety of topics, none of which are related to Oklahoma education or his job as superintendent."
#OklaEd
“This guy cares more about getting on Fox News than he does about doing his job,” said Rep state Rep. Mark McBride, who leads a House education subcommittee. “Someone has whispered in his ear that he could be governor or … secretary of education.”
#OklaEd
Supt. Ryan Walters has tapped this person to be on a book review board over
#OklaEd
.
Christians widely agree this is a racist and xenophobic theory rooted in white supremacism.
EXPOSED: "Failing Public Schools" is a manufactured talking point from privatization lobbyists. How do parents really feel? 83% say their kid's teachers are good/excellent!
#OklaEd
It is the unique role of the Church and home in Oklahoma to teach Christian morals and values to those that freely choose to worship how they see fit.
The public school should not teach or reinforce only one of the 45,000 Christian denomination's interpretations on these values.
I’m proud Oklahoma is one of the first states in the country to protect against Critical Race Theory and leftist indoctrination in our schools.
We must always ensure our students are taught our nation’s history without a left wing agenda.
REMINDER:
@GovStitt
sent $18M of federal GEER taxpayer funds to private schools.
But won't accept federal funds to feed
#OklaEd
kids on free & reduced lunches.
@JD__Baker
@pastors4OKkids
$40/month per poor kid… and we are worried about how to administer this program.
$5,000-7,500 to rich kids and we have no problems with that program, even though it’s clear they had no idea how to administer THAT program.
They approve of
#Wealth
-fare for the wealthy
Supt. Walters is an agent of the State and should not force his religious beliefs on
#OklaEd
kids.
This opens the door for State sponsored rituals from other religions.
“It's time that parents stand up to Moms for Liberty. It is labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for a reason.
Let’s let Lady Liberty get her name back in good standing.”
#OklaEd
The charter/privatization syndicate wants you to believe public schools are failing. Because they can profit handsomely if you do. 💰
Truth? "Public education is our future."
#OklaEd
EXPOSED: "Failing Public Schools" is a manufactured talking point from privatization lobbyists. How do parents really feel? 73% say their kid's teachers are good/excellent!
#OklaEd
“I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute...where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference..."
-John F. Kennedy
It’s time for blunt honesty. The root of all of this is not religious piety. Ryan Walters is lazy. Period.
Prayer in school, culture wars, car videos, attempting to circumvent clear, established laws - easier & abandon the hard work of improving conditions for
#oklaed
kids.
Supt. Ryan Walters is being advised by a group of evangelical pastors who believe classroom prayer “will lead to better educational outcomes in Oklahoma." My latest on this group and why one of their goals is to spark a legal challenge.
#oklaed
"Walters made it clear he believes there should not be a separation of church and state and wants the Christian religion to be a central part of public education."
Which one of the 200+ Christian denominations wins this right?
#OklaEd
"Oklahoma’s new attorney general has withdrawn the state’s official legal position that public dollars may be used to operate religious charter schools."
#OklaEd
"The audit and numerous other failings prompted an anonymous group in Oklahoma to form Families 4 Liberty. Its stated goal is to make Walters a figure of education’s past by impeaching him."
#OklaEd
"A man who wants to run Oklahoma’s school system has pushed a claim about liberals supposedly installing litter boxes in schools to accommodate students who identify as cats, even though it’s been debunked as a myth."
#OklaEd
"For hundreds of years, American churches understood that intermingling private faith and public institutions would bring unwanted compromise to both." -Rabbi Fitzerman
#OklaEd
Hey Oklahoma - you've been hoodwinked.
Look at the AZ program that was hailed as a success to
#OKLeg
= "It is projected that the voucher program is going to cause a state budget deficit of $319M."
#OklaEd
kids deserved better than this.
Head of AZ ESA voucher program resigns abruptly as well as the operations chief for the program. It is projected that the voucher program is going to cause a state budget deficit of $319M. Texas voucher legislation was based on AZ law.
When candidates say, “Money won’t fix all of our problems in public schools...” we should probably reply, “Oh really, which ones? Sure seems to feed kids, reduce class sizes, recruit/retain talented teachers, keep roofs from falling in, secure new textbooks...”
#OklaEd
.
@joy4ok
announces restored bonuses 4 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, psychologists: "We need to keep these highly qualified professionals in our schools to ensure our children receive the services they need for successful learning"
#oklaed
Once again,
@GovStitt
leaves OUR federal dollars on the table instead of using them to FEED hungry
#OklaEd
kids.
What in heaven's name is wrong with you? ❓❓❓
Despite one of every five Oklahoma children living through food insecurity, the state won't participate in a new federal summer food program for children, reports
@denwalt
When the Secretary of Education attends a State Board of Education meeting & posts video of himself during the Public Comment portion of the meeting to create drama, one thing is for sure: This is NOT leadership. This is theater. This is drama. But it's not leadership.
#OklaEd
“I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute...where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference..."
-John F. Kennedy
"According to online library catalogs, numerous private, religious schools in Oklahoma also carry The Kite Runner, The Glass Castle...those schools include Bishop McGinnes High School in OKC, Casady School in OKC, Holland Hall in Tulsa and Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa."
All 3 members that chose to act against legal counsel, in violation of the Charter Schools Act, and broke their oath to uphold the Oklahoma Constitution should be immediately removed from and banned from serving on any state appointed boards going forward.
#OklaEd
Supt. Walters is working overtime to get you to forget about...
⛔ $18M GEER funds to private schools
⛔ His failed ClassWallet audit
⛔ A completely dysfunctional OSDE
⛔ EPIC fraud
⛔ Constant harassing public school teachers
⛔ Culture wars instead of helping
#OklaEd
kids
Secretary Ryan Walters calls for a special audit of TPS, yet no one can get a Form 990 for 2020 or 2021 from his EKCO non-profit as required by the IRS? Yet millions in income now? From zero to millionaire overnight? Where is the funding coming from?
"State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has been ordered to pay $7,800 to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission for filing campaign reports late 14 times during his run for public office last year."
#OklaEd
@JD__Baker
@pastors4OKkids
$40/month per poor kid… and we are worried about how to administer this program.
$5,000-7,500 to rich kids and we have no problems with that program, even though it’s clear they had no idea how to administer THAT program.
They approve of
#Wealth
-fare for the wealthy
When you elect people who desire power over service, you get entirely predictable results.
#OKLeg
is getting a front-row seat and
#OklaEd
kids will suffer.
This is just wrong.
Oklahomans are better than this.
We must hold our elected officials accountable for this divisive, racist propaganda.
ALL
#OklaEd
children, regardless of skin color are created in God’s image.
ALL deserve safe schools.
If you're genuinely interested in the future of all children...you absolutely do not go around screaming about porn, threatening school board members, and falsely accusing their teachers of grooming. That's not how fostering a positive community working together works.
#OklaEd
"A whistleblower who formerly worked at the Oklahoma State Department of Education claims Superintendent Ryan Walters...outright lied to lawmakers about the status of grants."
#OklaEd
Ya’ll: what if “parent choice” “school freedom” isn’t about those things at all?
What if it’s really about ending free public education and shifting 100% of the financial responsibility to parents?
Like, dunno…maybe the father of school vouchers clearly STATED was the plan?
Because in every state. EVERY state that has put this to a vote of the people...it FAILS. Voters do NOT want tax dollars paying for private schools. And
#OKLeg
knows it.
"If I really believe, and I do, that God loves other peoples’ children the same way that God loves my children...then I should make sure my desire for my children’s success doesn’t come at the expense of someone else’s children."
#OklaEd
EXPOSED: "Failing Public Schools" is a manufactured talking point from privatization lobbyists. How do parents really feel? 83% say their kid's teachers are good/excellent!
#OklaEd
Did you know that unlike Gov. Stitt who constantly ridiculed OKC Public Schools, Paycom CEO Chad Richison and his wife, Charis donated $1 Million in the height of Covid to feed kids and support learning?
#OklaEd
"For hundreds of years, American churches understood that intermingling private faith and public institutions would bring unwanted compromise to both." -Rabbi Fitzerman
#OklaEd
Notice
#OKLeg
stepping up to save
#OklaEd
by restricting the unbelievably immature Superintendent.
It's really something to see, and Oklahomans should applaud their efforts. This is how the House should work. FOR the people.
So for the record, Gov. Kevin Stitt...
🚫 Does not believe in the sovereignty of tribes
🚫 Does not believe in the separation of church & state
🚫 Does not believe in public education
What's next? 🫣
Understand that private school vouchers stay the same as tuition and inflation increase, public schools are simultaneously defunded leading to lower outcomes for 90% of kids, and that the end goal is to end compulsory schooling and return to the 1800s in education...
#OklaEd
“School choice” isn’t about school choice. It’s about taking funding away from
#OklaEd
public schools.
Actual school choice has existed in Oklahoma since 1907.
The great lie of “school choice” is that there is no master plan. No secret solution. Just defund, demean, and destabilize public education until vouchers are more palatable. Then drain vouchers until - poof - it’s the 18th century market driven education once again.
#OklaEd