Supt. Ryan Walters announces resignation

State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced his resignation on Wednesday night on FOX News. 

He said he will now serve as CEO of Teacher Freedom Alliance.

Since Walters resigned, Gov. Kevin Stitt will have to find someone to finish off the rest of the term. 

In March of 2025, Rep Ellen Pogemiller submitted a letter to the Attorney General requesting a formal opinion after she said Walters used state resources to promote TFA.

This happened last in Oklahoma in 2021, when Attorney General Mike Hunter resigned and John O’Conner was appointed to replace him.

Attorney General Mike Hunter Resigns Amid ‘Personal Matters’

In a statement, Attorney General Drummond said

“Ever since Gov. Stitt appointed Ryan Walters to serve as Secretary of Education, we have witnessed a stream of never-ending scandal and political drama. From the mishandling of pandemic relief funds that resulted in families buying Xboxes and refrigerators to the latest squabbling with board members over what was or wasn’t showing on TV, the Stitt-Walters era has been an embarrassment to our state.

“Even worse, test scores and reading proficiency are at historic lows.

“It’s time for a State Superintendent of Public Instruction who will actually focus on quality instruction in our public schools. Gov. Stitt used to say he would make us Top Ten, but after seven years we are ranked 50th in education. Our families, our students and our teachers deserve so much more.

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Destini Pittman

Destini Pittman is a digital content producer at News 9. She joined the team in June 2024 after graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in Professional Media.

Matt McCabe

Matt McCabe joined the News 9 team in May 2023 as a multimedia journalist. He’s an award-winning journalist and previously worked in Rockford, IL and Kansas City, MO. Matt is very passionate about visual journalism and served on the board of the National Press Photographers Association.