In the video, Walters announces the new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism and prays for Donald Trump and his team.
Multiple districts across the state have announced they do not plan to show the video. Among them is Mustang Public Schools.
“Mustang Public Schools has no plans to interrupt the instructional day to show or send this video; there is no authority or requirement for us to do so,” Mustang Public Schools superintendent Charles Bradley wrote in response to parent concerns.
A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General confirmed the mandate to share the video is beyond Walters’ authority.
“There is no statutory authority for the state schools superintendent to require all students to watch a specific video,” spokesperson Phil Bacharach said in an email. “Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents’ rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights.”
A request to a spokesperson for Walters to explain what authority he had to require the video was not returned.
Edmond parents shared a message from Superintendent Angela Grunewald on social media that cites a state Supreme Court decision from earlier this year that affirms school districts’ authority over learning materials.
News9 reported Jenks, Piedmont and Bixby schools also do not plan to share the video. Epic Charter Schools officials told Oklahoma Voice they have not seen a copy sent to the district.
Walters had said the video was mandatory viewing for students across the state in an email to superintendents.
The email, obtained by StateImpact Oklahoma, said districts must also send the video to all students’ parents.
In the video, Walters says the “radical left” is attacking religious liberty in schools, patriotism is being “mocked,” and there is “a hatred for this country pushed by woke teachers’ unions.”
He invites the students to pray with him, clarifying they don’t have to join in.
“I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions,” Walters said. “I pray in particular for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country.”
StateImpact’s Beth Wallis contributed to this report.
