An investigation is underway after two Oklahoma State Board of Education members said they saw images of naked women on a TV screen in the office of Oklahoma's top education official, state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters
Board members Ryan Deatherage, of Kingfisher, and Becky Carson, of Edmond, told The Oklahoman they saw the images while the board met behind closed doors in Walters' office on Thursday, July 24. The state board was in Walters' office for a closed executive session to discuss teacher licensing, student attendance appeals and other sensitive issues. Walters, a Republican, chairs the board.
Since then, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, called for an investigation of all of Walters' "relevant devices," which will be conducted by the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office.
As of July 29, Walters said he is not responsible for the lewd images.
Here's a brief rundown on Oklahoma's top educator.
Who is Ryan Walters?
Ryan Walters is the state schools superintendent in Oklahoma.
A 2016 teacher of the year finalist, Walters taught high school history for eight years at McAlester High School, according to his government biography. He also previously taught at Millwood High School.
In Sept. 2020, he was appointed as Secretary of Public Education in Oklahoma. He was elected to his current position in 2022, according to Ballotpedia, and his term ends in January 2027.
In his 2022 campaign, he was endorsed by current Governor Kevin Stitt, Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, according to his campaign website.
Walters has long supported Trump, echoing several of his stances on education.
In his personal life, he is married to his wife Katie, with whom they have four children.
What is happening with Walters and the investigation?
Since the two board members reported that they saw naked women on a TV screen during a meeting in Walters' office, state officials have confirmed they are moving forward with investigations.
Aaron Brilbeck, a spokesman for Oklahoma County's Sheriff's Office, confirmed the agency will lead the investigation on Monday, July 28. He said Sheriff Tommie Johnson III received a request from the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services to conduct the investigation.
When asked on Monday, Brilbeck said the investigation was in its early stages and had yet to speak with anyone involved in the meeting.
Spokespeople for Walters have not answered questions about Walters' cooperation with the investigation. Quinton Hitchcock, a spokesman for Walters, called the story a "junk tabloid lie," and Walters has said the board members are lying in a recent statement.
Related: Read Walters' latest statement on the accusation of nude images.
Education in Oklahoma under Walters
Parents and students in Oklahoma schools have seen many recent headlines regarding Walters' initiatives in the state's education sphere.
In late July, Walters said that an "anti-woke" test would be ready in a matter of weeks to determine if teachers coming from "left-wing" states have personal ideas that align with Oklahoma's curriculum standards.
Related: Oklahoma ranks nearly worst in US for education in recent survey. Here's why.
In April, state funding was called into question when Walters ruled that schools would not receive state funding for the 2025-26 school year if they did not comply with non-diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
And in May, Walters proposed that Oklahoma schools be required to track students' immigrant status. However, the proposal failed at different stages in its process and concluded with a joint resolution against Walters' desires.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who is Ryan Walters? Oklahoma's controversial top education official
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