Walters, legislators condemn and call for investigation of school bomb threats

Amid turmoil regarding leadership and reform in the Tulsa Public Schools, with seemingly growing political activism in the classroom by educators and countered by belligerent rhetoric from State Superintendent Ryan Walters, some loser(s) thought it would be cool to send fake bomb threats aimed at several Tulsa-area schools.

Coinciding with circulation of a fake Ryan Walters for Governor website, I'm personally inclined to think it was someone trying to pin this on Walters and conservatives who are upset with continued revelations of 'wokeness' and partisan liberal ideology in the classroom.

Anyway, Walters condemned the bomb threats (duh) and is calling for a full investigation of the threats. House Speaker Charles McCall and State Rep. T.J. Marti (representing one of the districts that received a threat) both issues similar statements. Both legislators offered similar sentiments, including displeasure with some of the rhetoric involved on both sides of public education reform.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters calls for full investigation of Tulsa threats

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (August 25, 2023) – State Superintendent Ryan Walters has issued the following statement regarding threats made against Oklahoma schools and officials:

"Any threat against Oklahoma schools, our children, or other officials is reprehensible and absolutely unacceptable. There is an ongoing investigation into the nature of these threats, and I know the full weight of our law enforcement agencies will be brought to bear against those who would threaten our kids.”

The Department of Public Safety and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are monitoring and investigating the threats. Please direct further inquiries to those agencies:

• DPS – (405) 425-7707
• OSBI – (405) 990-0011

McCall Issues Statement Condemning Bomb Threats Against Schools

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 25, 2023) – Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, today issued a statement condemning the bomb threats recently called in to multiple Oklahoma schools and asking education stakeholders to tone down political rhetoric and renew their focus on increased student academic outcomes.

“First and foremost, I want to condemn the bomb threats leveled against multiple public schools here in Oklahoma this week. Violence, and threats of violence, whether a hoax or legitimate, against our students are completely unacceptable and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Secondly, I would like to see the political activism surrounding education eliminated, and more targeted action plans focused on raising test scores and increasing education outcomes for our students. Recently, it seems as if 5% of the people are stirring up controversy, while the other 95% just want to see our kids get better test scores and succeed in the classroom.

Oklahoma classrooms should not be laboratories for political activism, they should be places where our kids go to learn the basic education skills needed to succeed. In the same way, Oklahoma’s elected leaders should not be adding fuel to the fires of controversy, we should be focused on making sure our kids are getting a good education, and our educational outcomes are improving.

Oklahoma’s education ranking is among the lowest in the country for a number of reasons, and that ranking isn’t going to change if we are constantly engaged in a political battle of wills. We must get the focus back on student outcomes, and away from political rhetoric.

I’m calling on all involved parties to end the rhetoric and do better for the children of Oklahoma.”

Marti Condemns Threats Against Tulsa-Area Schools

TULSA  (August 25, 2023)– Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Tulsa, condemned the recent bomb threats made against several schools in the Union Public Schools district this week.

“These threats against our schools must stop. Law enforcement must do everything in their power to track down those responsible for making them and our judicial system must prosecute these perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.

The rhetoric spurring these threats has been tolerated long enough and must end today. We know that our education system needs improvement, but there is a process in place to do that. These threats and hateful rhetoric have no place in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is home to some of the best teachers in the nation, and they are doing everything they can to help students achieve academic and personal success. Our focus should be on helping students across the state succeed, not villainizing our hard-working educators and administrators or terrorizing innocent students and their families."

Marti's legislative district includes a portion of Union Public Schools.