Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE)

The Oklahoma State Department of Education’s request for bids from Bible suppliers, which many speculated would result in the purchase of Bibles affiliated with former president Donald Trump, has been changed at the urging of another state agency.

Oklahoma is among the top hotspots in the country when it comes to legislative attempts to censor certain discussions in academic settings, according to a new report. The study shows lawmakers in this state have proposed the second most so-called “Educational Gag Orders” in the country since 2021.

Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore) sent a letter to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond last week for an opinion on whether funds allocated by the legislature for another purpose can be transferred to pay for State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ classroom Bible initiative.

Bids opened last week for a contract to supply the state Department of Education with 55,000 Bibles. The highly-detailed specifications limit most vendors.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the agency wasted precious time when it waited over a year to distribute the fund.

Oklahoma lawmakers hosted an interim study on expanding Medicaid-billable services in schools. State agencies are laying the groundwork to help schools better address students’ health.

Ryan Walters’ pursuit of an Edmond teacher’s certification exemplifies his priority is to score cheap political points, constitution be damned.

The state agency did not disclose the impact before releasing test scores this month.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a formal opinion Wednesday afternoon saying the State Board of Education must allow lawmakers to attend executive sessions at board meetings.

The unorthodox request comes as the controversial state education leader faces questions about the financial management of the Oklahoma State Department of Education.