Ryan Walters, the right-wing state school superintendent of Oklahoma, stirred controversy when he announced his plan to spend $6 million on purchasing Bibles for every classroom in the state. However, the bid specifications for the purchase raised suspicion as they seemed to favor a specific Bible that was endorsed by GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump and country singer Lee Greenwood. Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson criticized the bid for potentially violating regulations by excluding most bidders unnecessarily. Walters, a former state teacher of the year, has faced numerous controversies, including spreading false information about students identifying as cats and using cat litter in schools.
Walters, who is considering running for governor in 2026, has denied that his controversial decisions are aimed at fueling a political agenda. Despite defending himself against attacks and denying ambitions for higher office, speculation that he may be positioning himself for future elections persists. The recent directive requiring classroom teachers in grades 5 through 12 to use the Bible as a foundational text for instructional support has further fueled controversy. Walters allocated $3 million for purchasing classroom Bibles and requested an additional $3 million from the state legislature for this purpose.
The bidding specifications issued by Walters in late August gained online attention only recently. The criteria for the bids include the delivery of 55,000 Bibles within two weeks of the contract award date, specifying the King James version with additional texts of the Pledge of Allegiance, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights, along with being bound in leather or leather-like material. The “God Bless the USA” Bible being sought closely aligns with these criteria, potentially limiting competition for the bid. Despite claims of normalcy in the procurement process by the state Department of Education spokesperson Dan Isett, civil liberties groups have criticized Walters for mandating the use of the Bible in public school curriculum.
A coalition of civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, have filed an Open Records Act request for information on the purchase of Bibles in Oklahoma schools. The groups have accused Walters of promoting a Christian Nationalist agenda and attempting to indoctrinate and religiously coerce public school students. The president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Rachel Laser, stated that public schools should not be used as platforms for religious agendas. The controversy surrounding Walters’ decision to include the Bible in classrooms has sparked debate on the separation of church and state and the use of taxpayer funds to promote specific religious beliefs.
Despite the backlash, Walters remains steadfast in his decision to include the Bible in Oklahoma classrooms as a foundational text for instructional support. The bidding process for the purchase of 55,000 Bibles has raised concerns about transparency and exclusion of potential bidders. With bids due by October 14, the outcome of the procurement process remains uncertain. Walters’ actions have highlighted the ongoing debate over the role of religion in public education and the boundaries between state and church. As the controversy intensifies, Walters may face increased scrutiny from both supporters and critics, shaping his future political aspirations and public image.
