Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton
Tulsa World Reporter
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Four Tulsa-area districts confirmed Monday that they were notified by the Oklahoma State Department of Education about complaints regarding employee comments following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Representatives from Broken Arrow, Jenks, Tulsa and Union each confirmed Monday that their district received a request to investigate an unnamed employee over social media posts after Kirk was fatally shot Sept. 10.
Signed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters, the letter claims that an employee “posted an inflammatory social media message” and offers OSDE’s support if needed.
“I am requesting that you commit to a swift and thorough investigation,” the letter states. “Your diligence is critical in ensuring that your district’s reputation is restored and protected.”
Representatives for Jenks and Union each said separately that their districts have not been notified which employee was the subject of the complaint.
Broken Arrow Public Schools provided a written statement affirming that it also does not know any details about the complaint referenced in Walters’ letter.
“At this time, district officials are unaware of any such incidents as described in the email from the State Department of Education, and furthermore, have no evidence of any employees posting inflammatory social media messages on their personal accounts,” BAPS statement read. “If the SDE or the author of the report has evidence that district officials should be aware of, providing that evidence will make possible a swift, thorough and fair investigation of the matter.”
OSDE spokeswoman Madison Cercy did not respond to inquiries about the communique Monday.
OSDE announced Thursday that it had identified 70 teachers from 44 districts who had made comments regarding Kirk’s death based off complaints lodged via the agency’s Awareity platform.
Walters has previously threatened to ban from the classroom any teacher who “attempts to glorify” Kirk’s death and specifically tweeted that his agency would investigate a Sand Springs teacher for posting on his personal Facebook account that “Charlie Kirk died the way he lived: bringing out the worst in people.”
However, suspending or revoking a teacher’s certificate requires a majority vote by the Oklahoma State Board of Education, which is scheduled to meet Thursday in Oklahoma City.
The agency is also investigating complaints lodged against 12 districts regarding Walters’ request that schools dedicate an afternoon moment of silence in honor of Kirk. Cercy previously said that list was not exhaustive and that OSDE was still reviewing complaints.
A records request for the Awareity complaints is pending.
lenzy.krehbiel-burton@tulsaworld.com
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Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton
Tulsa World Reporter
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