Attorney General Gentner Drummond didn't hold back in his comments regarding the State Board of Education's latest decision to hire a new attorney. In a move that continues to stir up contention within Oklahoma's education system, the board approved a candidate who, according to Drummond, may not be the most equipped for the role. Attorney General Gentner Drummond stated, "The board’s decision to hire a politically connected attorney with little to no experience advising a state board is yet another example of the dysfunction that has plagued public education since Gov. Stitt first appointed Ryan Walters."
Drummond's critique extends beyond the hiring choice, painting a bleak picture of Oklahoma's education system under Governor Stitt's watch. "Unfortunately for Oklahoma students and their families, our schools have gone from bad to worse since Gov. Stitt first appointed Ryan Walters as Secretary of Education," Drummond expressed in a statement obtained by the Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The state’s academic situation has been punctuated by a series of scandals contributing to its ranking of 50th in education.
The internal strife between the state Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education members hand-selected by Gov. Stitt has only compounded the issues, leading to disagreements over legal representation. Attorney General Gentner Drummond pointed out the problematic nature of these disputes, asserting, "The latest political drama is yet another squabble between Gov. Stitt’s hand-picked state Superintendent of Public Instruction and his hand-picked State Board of Education members." It's clear the differences between the two sides remain unresolved, further complicating the challenging landscape of educational governance in the state.
While addressing the attorney's qualifications, Attorney General Gentner Drummond didn't mince words. "While Mr. Leonard may be a talented plaintiff’s attorney and has counseled the Governor through various legal battles against Oklahoma’s Native American tribes, he is woefully inadequate to serve as general counsel to the State Board of Education." Drummond underscored the misalignment of Mr. Leonard's experience with the demands of advising the State Board of Education, indicating a possibly tumultuous future for the board’s legal guidance.
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