By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY — State Superintendent Ryan Walters formally tendered his resignation late Tuesday afternoon, but Gov. Kevin Sitt still has yet to announce who he will appoint as a replacement.
“While I am leaving this office today, I am not leaving the fight,” Walters wrote in his resignation letter, which Oklahoma Voice obtained. “The challenges before us remain significant, but the opportunities are even greater. My commitment to serve this state and its people is as strong as ever, and I will continue to seek ways to advance the principles of freedom, accountability, and excellence in the days ahead.”
Walters announced last week his intentions to resign to become the CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, an anti-teacher-union nonprofit. His resignation letter states his final day in office is Tuesday. He is expected to step into his new role Wednesday.
Walters, a Republican, has not disclosed whether he intends to run for elected office in the future. He would have been eligible for another four-year term as state superintendent had he won reelection.
All eyes now turn to Stitt to decide who will finish the remaining 15 months of Walters’ four-year term. The appointee will lead the Oklahoma State Department of Education and chair the Oklahoma State Board of Education until January 2027.
Stitt said last week he will seek a “leader who is fully focused on the job Oklahomans expect: delivering real outcomes and driving a turnaround in our education system.”
After Walters delivered his resignation letter, a spokesperson for the Governor’s Office said there would be no announcement of an appointee on Tuesday.
Walters addressed his resignation letter to Stitt, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert and Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton.
He credited his administration at the Education Department as having “advanced reforms many believed could never be achieved,” including empowering parents, demanding transparency in public schools and expanding school choice options.
He closed his letter by thanking his family, the people of Oklahoma, and public school educators and families.
“I leave this position with gratitude, optimism, and confidence that Oklahoma’s best days are still to come,” he wrote.
