Arrested for touching middle school boys inappropriately, the principal faces charges. A professor who allegedly sent a student explicit photos. Further individual faces charges related to the possession of child pornography.
The Oklahoma State Board of Education suspended the teaching certificates of nine instructors on Thursday, and the list includes more than just these stories. Nearly ten others were also subject to revocation proceedings initiated by the board, with several of them facing comparable charges.
According to Ryan Walters, the state superintendent, his administration is taking swift action to resolve these issues.
Some 35 teachers have had their licenses revoked or suspended by the state board since January, but opponents claim the Oklahoma State Department of Education is moving too slowly to do anything.
According to Walters, additional revocations and suspensions may be put to a vote by the state board in the months to come.
In his remarks following Thursday’s board meeting, he made it clear that he would not wait for a conviction before taking action against teachers who violate the code of conduct or who are found to have committed sexual misconduct. When that happens, we will definitely be moving.
The state legislature is currently considering new regulations put forth by the state education department that would make it easier for schools to dismiss teachers who have been accused of sexual misconduct. Additionally, districts that retain teachers who are under investigation may face consequences if their certifications are subsequently revoked or convicted.
Walters’ Administration Faces Scrutiny, Delays
Educators and coaches who have been accused of abuse have not been swiftly dealt with by Walters’ administration. At the same time, he has criticised Summer Boismier, a former teacher at Norman High School, for her liberal political views, and is now pursuing a revocation case against her.
The matter of Boismier’s teaching license revocation was once again postponed by the state Board of Education until June 27. An online database of forbidden literature was displayed in the classroom by the former English teacher.
Boismier stands out among the state board’s agenda members because he has a perfect record—never suspended, fired, or faced criminal charges.
Stephen Gainor, a Sapulpa teacher who was charged with distributing fentanyl, and Tyler Patrick McGrew, an Oklahoma City Public Schools employee who was fired for allegedly placing an 11-year-old student in an improper hold, were among the educators whose certifications were suspended on Thursday.
A former teacher at Stigler High School, Donald Holt, is facing charges of possessing and distributing child pornography. Also facing criminal charges is Vernon Tyler Thetford, a former teacher at Lexington High School who allegedly sent a pupil sexually explicit photographs of himself.
Pending a hearing to revoke their certifications, they are currently on hold.
For over a year following his felony charges of two counts of lewd or indecent conduct to a child under 16 and four counts of lewd or indecent solicitations to a juvenile, Cody Barlow, principal of Wewoka Middle School, was able to keep his teaching license intact.
State Board Suspends Teacher Certification
On Thursday, the state board took action by suspending his certification and setting the stage for a hearing to consider the possibility of permanently revoking his license.
Accusation has been leveled by Barlow. In Seminole County District Court, the accusations have not yet been resolved.
Four students who had sued Wewoka Public Schools, claiming that Barlow had abused them, reached a settlement this month with a sum of $1.95 million.
The families of the four students have been waiting far too long for the state Department of Education to take action against Barlow’s teaching certification, according to Cameron Spradling, the attorney who represented them.
According to Spradling, they have been feeling abandoned for the past 18 months.
According to Spradling, he is still waiting for Walters to retaliate against Phil Koons, the football coach and administrator of Ringling High School in southern Oklahoma, and others in a similar fashion. Claiming to have been victims of bullying, harassment, and abuse, nine present or former football players have filed a lawsuit against the coach, the school district, and several Koons family members.
As a result of his alleged behavior toward the players, Koons will soon face a charge of inciting public indignation and will hence be sentenced to trial.
According to Spradling, who is defending the plaintiffs in the civil action, “nothing’s happened” with his license to work in public schools.
“When is it going to be Walters’ turn to pursue someone?” “Spradling said,” He stated. “Did I not win the case before?” Just before they’re about to be arraigned in court? When is the last time he feels it?”
According to Walters, additional investigators are being hired by the state Education Department to probe complaints that have been filed with the department. He asserted that there is overwhelming evidence of various difficulties, with reports “going through the roof.”
Walters requested that the information be sent to them. Otherwise, we will have to wait for local law enforcement to bring forth charges and other information. However, we can initiate the process of moving and suspending certificates if you have evidence that you can give to us.
Educator Misconduct Ignored, Activists Protest
The same story keeps coming up, according to Stratford resident Sheena Martin, who is holding a sign outside Thursday’s meeting that features images of educators accused of sexual misconduct. The story goes something like this: a student is abused by a teacher, the school disregards warning signs, and a predator is allowed to take a teaching job elsewhere.
Martin claimed that her private music instructor abused her, but the instructor was never fired or criminally punished.
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She blasted the state education department for focusing on Boismier’s case while ignoring others.
Why can we severely punish a teacher for doing their job, yet we let off the hook when it comes to child abuse? “Martin said,” he proclaimed. Your political beliefs are irrelevant to me. I will not tolerate that.
The state Department of Education was unable to establish that Boismier was deserving of having her certification revoked, according to the judge who oversaw the hearing in June of last year.
According to oklahomavoice, Walters said his intention to advocate for the revocation of her license by the California Board of Education. Among the thousands of titles in the catalog, a few included sexual material, so he accused her of having a “liberal political agenda” and of spreading pornography.
Boismier stated that she never advocated for a banned book, even if she is no longer based in Oklahoma. Federal court in Oklahoma City is hearing her defamation, slander, libel, and false representation lawsuit against Walters.
Natalie Clydesdale is a journalist at oklahomansdecide.org, where she covers crucial local and state news with a focus on accuracy and depth. Her extensive experience in investigative reporting ensures readers receive clear and reliable information. Follow her latest updates on Instagram.
