Mary from V1SUT Vantage and Roberta Lewis from Moms 4 Liberty discussed Governor Stitt’s appointment of Chris VanDenhende to the Oklahoma State School Board. Following the removal of board members due to “political drama,” concerns arose regarding VanDenhende’s business ties and prior funding. The discussion highlighted opposition to his confirmation.
Governor Stitt’s dismissal of three state school board members has raised questions about what he termed “political drama.” Critics argue the removals were unjust, especially regarding Kendra Wesson, who was committed to safeguarding children from harmful educators. The new board lacks educational experience, causing concern over its ability to improve Oklahoma’s education system.
On January 8th, Michael and Kendra Wesson, a board member of the Oklahoma State Department of Education, discussed key issues affecting parents and taxpayers. They emphasized the importance of parental involvement in children’s education and highlighted the significance of addressing teacher misconduct. Kendra’s insights on young people’s challenges and literacy were particularly noteworthy.
In a recent statement, House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert emphasized the significance of passing two bills in the upcoming legislative session: a state budget and a cellphone usage policy for schools. Criticism surrounds the proposed cell phone bill, which undermines local control, mandates discipline policies, and risks taxpayer funds without substantive impact on educational challenges in Oklahoma.
Dr. Becky Pellam shared her challenging teaching experiences in Oklahoma, highlighting bullying from colleagues and unethical practices in schools. After leaving Guymon Public Schools, she faced similar issues at DOVE Virtual Academy. She emphasized the need for genuine education reform in Oklahoma, criticizing a system that conditions rather than educates students.