Urgent Legislative Request to Address Student Walkouts and Uphold School Attendance Laws

OKLAHOMA CITY — A group of Oklahoma state senators and representatives sent a formal letter to State Superintendent Lindel Fields calling for immediate action regarding recent student walkouts at public schools statewide. These protests, which targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and law enforcement personnel, disrupted instructional time at schools including Hale High School, Edison Preparatory Academy, Booker T. Washington High School, the Tulsa School for Arts and Sciences, Mustang Schools, Jenks Public Schools, and more.

The letter, signed by the following legislators, stresses that taxpayer-funded schools must prioritize education, student safety, parental oversight, and compliance with state law. Unexcused absences during school hours raise serious concerns about violations of compulsory attendance statutes and potential educator misconduct.

Key Concerns Raised in the Letter:

• Possible breaches of Oklahoma’s compulsory attendance laws (Title 70 O.S. §10-105), which mandate student presence unless properly excused.
• Potential violations of professional educator standards if teachers promoted, facilitated, or failed to address these walkouts, possibly warranting certificate revocation under OAC §210:1-5-6 for willful violation of state law.
• Disruption to the learning environment, removal of minors from supervision without parental consent, and erosion of respect for lawful authority.

The legislators formally requested that Superintendent Fields:
 

• Investigate reports of educators who may have promoted or facilitated the walkouts.
• Enforce strict disciplinary measures, including certificate revocation where violations are confirmed.
• Provide a detailed summary of the investigations, including the number of educators reviewed and any disciplinary outcomes.

The letter was signed by: 

- Senator Julie McIntosh, Senate District 3

- Senator Tom Woods, Senate District 4

- Senator David Bullard, Senate District 6

- Senator Bryan Logan, Senate District 8

- Senator Shane Jett, Senate District 17

- Senator Randy Grellner, Senate District 21

- Senator Brian Guthrie, Senate District 25

- Senator Dusty Deevers, Senate District 32

- Senator Christi Gillespie, Senate District 33

- Senator Adam Pugh, Senate District 41

- Senator Kendall Sacchieri, Senate District 43

- Representative Jim Shaw, House District 32

- Representative Molly Jenkins, House District 33

- Representative Gabe Woolley, House District 98

"Schools must remain focused on orderly learning and preparing students for the future—not serving as venues for political activism during class time," the signatories stated. "We fully support the right to free expression, but it must be exercised responsibly, within the law, and with parental involvement. We look forward to Superintendent Fields' response and stand ready to collaborate on upholding these standards."

The letter underscores the 2026 legislative priority on improving educational outcomes and invites the State Department of Education to work with lawmakers to address the issue effectively.

To read the letter, click here.

About the Signatories: these Oklahoma lawmakers represent districts across the state and are committed to student safety, educational excellence, parental rights, and adherence to state law.

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