By Steve Fair The Evergreen Freedom Foundation was founded in 1991 by Washington state legislator Robert Williams and political operative/consultant Lynn Harsh. It is a 501(c)(3) organization promoting conservative causes.
In March of this year, the foundation started the Teacher Freedom Alliance. The TFA is an anti-union organization for teachers that does not engage in collective bargaining with school districts. It exists to help removing existing teachers’ unions and providing liability insurance for classroom teachers.
Oklahoma already has a similar organization: Public Oklahoma Educators. One of the founders of POE, Mike Tinney, is on the state school board.
On Wednesday on Fox News, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters announced he will be resigning in October to become the CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance.
Three observations: First, Oklahoma's public education outcomes remain stagnant. For years, Oklahoma has lagged behind in education. The Oklahoma Education Association lobbies every year for legislators to increase teacher pay. They promise if teachers are paid more, test outcomes will improve. That has yet to happen.
When Walters was elected, he assured voters he would turn it around. That didn't happen.
The governor and the Legislature said they would fix public education by increasing teacher pay to the regional average. That action resulted in no significant improvement in test scores.
A major issue is over 50% of Oklahoma public education dollars are being spent for non-classroom-related activities. That number hasn't changed in over 25 years. Republicans, who took control of the state Legislature in 2004, have dealt with public education largely the same way the Democrats did before for a century before.
Sharing of school administration and infrastructure is discussed, but never implemented. Consolidation of school districts in rural areas is fought like the dickens.
Oklahoma taxpayers fund more school buildings and buses than any state per capita. Recognizing the money isn't getting to the classroom and the unwillingness of parents to take responsibility for the education of their child is dismissed by public education leadership.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. That is what Oklahoma continues to do in public education.
Second, Walters is a self-promoter. That's why he made the announcement on Fox News instead of local media. He loves attention. Instead of making fundamental changes to public education as he campaigned, Walters has spent almost three years in office sensationalizing and engaging in melodrama. He appears angry and confrontational, even to those who agree with him. He has alienated former allies and takes pride in making political enemies. Oklahoma public education hasn't improved during his tenure. It remains static.
During his time in office, Walters has amassed a loyal following who believe he is faultless, unstained and incorruptible. While Ryan Walters' political future is uncertain, he has cultivated a formidable voter base. Don't be surprised if Walters runs for Oklahoma governor.
Third, the next state superintendent must take on the education establishment.
Governor Stitt will appoint someone to serve out the remainder of Walters’ term.
The next super needs to focus on how tax dollars are being spent in public education.
They should demand financial accountability. They should recognize they can't dictate improvement in a public education with a memo or a news conference. It is going to take a plan to help Oklahoma parents take equity in their kid's education. The next education czar needs to have the courage to admit they don't know everything — a rare trait for a politician.
The reaction to Walters' departure varied. His political opponents held parties celebrating his resignation, while his allies blamed his detractors for pushing him out.
No one doubts Ryan Walters has courage, but it more than courage to get things done. It takes action, purpose, direction, commitment and resilience to move policy forward. His inability to 'sell' his ideas before he held a news conference made him ineffective.
Walters wasn't always wrong nor was he always right, but Ryan was always in front of a camera.
Steve Fair is vice chairman of the Fourth District of the Oklahoma Republican Party. He can be reached at steve.fair@ymail.com. His blog is stevefair. blogspot.com.