OKLA ED SEC RYAN WALTERS FANS OSDE DUMPSTER FIRE - TEACHER PAYOLA SCHEME
In a shocking turn of events, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has been engulfed in flames after a former employee claimed he was wrongfully terminated for voicing concerns over teacher bonuses.
Matthew Colwell, who worked as the OSDE School Success Program Manager in the Division of Federal Programs, said he enjoyed his work until State Superintendent Ryan Walters took office and everything changed. Apparently, Walters and his Chief Policy Advisor, Matt Langston, didn't have educational backgrounds and needed Colwell to explain basic concepts about schools to them.
But that's not the worst part. Colwell said he felt they were not listening to the feedback from districts and experts about the potential impact of their initiative to offer up to $50,000 signing bonuses for new teachers who commit to work for five years in Oklahoma, with higher amounts for those who teach in rural or high poverty districts.
Colwell was concerned that the initiative would create inequities among districts, undermine local control, and divert federal funds from other programs that support students. And when he shared his views with Walters and Langston, they dismissed his arguments and accused him of being negative and unprofessional.
But Colwell wasn't going down without a fight. He exercised his First Amendment rights and blew the whistle on the misuse of federal funds. And what did he get for it? Fired. Without any explanation or due process.
Now, Colwell has filed a federal lawsuit against Walters and Langston for wrongful termination. He's seeking reinstatement, back pay, damages, and attorney fees. And he's not alone. Jennifer Wilkinson, who worked as the OSDE Director of Federal Programs, has also filed a lawsuit against Walters and Langston for wrongful termination.
It's official: the OSDE is a dumpster fire. And it's not just because of the lawsuits. The initiative to offer teacher bonuses has caused chaos among districts and teachers alike. Some districts are offering their own incentives to retain teachers, while others are struggling to compete.
And let's not forget about the teachers themselves. They're torn between wanting to take advantage of the bonuses and feeling guilty for leaving their current students behind. It's a mess.
But don't worry, folks. Superintendent Walters has defended his initiative as a way to attract and retain quality teachers in Oklahoma and to reverse the trend of teacher shortages in the state. Because nothing says "quality" like offering signing bonuses to new teachers while ignoring the concerns of current ones.
In conclusion, the OSDE is a dumpster fire that needs to be put out ASAP. And if Superintendent Walters and his team don't start listening to feedback and treating their employees with respect, they may find themselves out of a job too.
Former OSDE employee questions teacher bonus plan https://kfor.com/news/local/dumpster-fire-frmr-osde-employee-wrongfully-terminated-for-voicing-concerns-over-teacher-bonuses/