By Fox23.com News Staff
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Several Oklahoma state senators and representatives have sent a letter to State Superintendent Lindel Fields calling for action over student walkouts at state public schools against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE.
The letter pointed out several school walkouts in the Tulsa metro area including Hale, Edison, as well as students from Jenks and Mustang High School.
The lawmakers who signed the letter said their key concerns are possible breaches of the state’s compulsory attendance laws, violation of professional educator standards, and disruption of the learning environment.
They are focusing on educators saying they want Fields to investigate reports of teachers who may have promoted or facilitated the walkouts, provide a detailed summary of the investigations, including the number of educators reviewed and if any violations are confirmed to enforce disciplinary measures, including certificate revocation.
“Schools must remain focused on orderly learning and preparing students for the future— not serving as venues for political activism during class time,” the signatories of the letters said in a statement. “We fully support the right to free expression, but it must be exercised responsibly, within the law, and with parental involvement. We look forward to Superintendent Fields’ response and stand ready to collaborate on upholding these standards.”
The letter was signed by:
- Senator Julie McIntosh, Senate District 3
- Senator Tom Woods, Senate District 4
- Senator David Bullard, Senate District 6
- Senator Bryan Logan, Senate District 8
- Senator Shane Jett, Senate District 17
- Senator Randy Grellner, Senate District 21
- Senator Brian Guthrie, Senate District 25
- Senator Dusty Deevers, Senate District 32
- Senator Christi Gillespie, Senate District 33
- Senator Adam Pugh, Senate District 41
- Senator Kendall Sacchieri, Senate District 43
- Representative Jim Shaw, House District 32
- Representative Molly Jenkins, House District 33
- Representative Gabe Woolley, House District 98
Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt responded in regard to the letter sent to Fields.
“I trust our educators that are managing the disruption and fear caused by ICE enforcement actions,” says Kirt. “Once again, we see selective outrage from Republicans as they cherry-pick issues happening in our public schools. I’m outraged that students miss school because of domestic violence, untreated mental illness, or needing to work to help their family keep up with the cost of living. As elected officials – and leaders of this state – we should not blame students and start investigations into our teachers. We should applaud young people for exercising their rights as Americans and start real problem solving.”
Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Michael Brooks also released a statement. It reads:
“I am concerned about a version of Oklahoma that is trying to silence our young people. They have participated in protests going back to the revolutionary war and were an integral part in important progress during the Civil Rights Movement, including the groundbreaking Katz Drug Store sit-ins in Oklahoma City. Their courage and voices helped secure the rights of millions of fellow Americans.”
