'Let us in': OK parent-led activist group renews request for larger OSDE meeting space after no response
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - It's been three months since a parent-led activist group requested the Oklahoma State Board of Education meet in a larger venue space for its monthly meetings, but no changes have been made so far.
"The meetings are not accessible to average working parents. We're having to get there at 3:30 in the morning just for a shot to speak," said Defense of Democracy State Chair, Bailee Tyler.
Flocks of early birds have become the new norm at the State Department of Education, especially now that the Board of Education has limited the total number of speakers to 10.
Defense of Democracy, through an attorney, sent the State Department of Education a letter on October 23.
The letter cited a violation of the Open Meeting Act and requested a larger venue space for future monthly Board of Education meetings.
"We propose that the Board explores the possibility of securing larger venues for its meetings or utilizing technology to allow for virtual participation, thereby ensuring that the meetings are truly open to the public and promoting a more inclusive dialogue between the Board and the citizens it serves," the letter states.
In August, the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal's Office capped the Board room to 49 people.
However, once journalists, Board members, security, and personnel are subtracted from that number, the Fire Marshal's Office concluded only one to six people from the public would be allowed inside.
"He's only allowing a certain amount of people to speak, but we're having to fight for those spots and I don't think that's acceptable," stated Tyler.
During the pandemic, former Attorney General Mike Hunter released an advisory regarding the Open Meeting Act.
Can a public body regulate (or limit through technology) the number of attendees to
a meeting?
No. While other laws and regulations, like a fire code or public health guidelines, may limit
the number of people allowed in a location, a public body may not use those laws and
regulations to limit the number of persons attending an open meeting, whether the meeting
is in-person, by videoconference, or by teleconference.If there are limits on the number of people who can be in one location, the public body will
need to evaluate whether a larger meeting space or additional rooms are needed. If multiple
rooms or locations are used, there must be live audio and video feed between the
rooms/locations.Similarly, if there are limits on the number of people who can call into a teleconference or
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter
join a videoconference, the public body will have to provide a number or website that does
not have such limitations.
Tyler told KFOR Defense of Democracy has yet to hear a response from State Superintendent Ryan Walters or the Board regarding their request for a larger venue.
"We haven't heard a word, which isn't surprising. It shows us that he just doesn't care about actual parents and parents' rights," said Tyler.
News 4 emailed the State Department of Education Director of Communications, Dan Isett, for comment. We asked why the Board hasn't moved the meeting to a larger venue, if the Board has even considered moving spaces, and if the Board plans to move to a larger space soon.
Isett hasn't responded to the inquiry as of Monday afternoon.
In a previous statement regarding Defense of Democracy's request, he told KFOR, "Despite the fever dreams of left-wing activists, we are in full compliance with the law. It's a shame some folks are more concerned with disrupting open meetings than they are with improving student outcomes."
Tyler said Defense of Democracy has now reached out to the State Attorney General's Office for help.
"If [Supt. Walters] wants to hear what people really have to say, then he needs to let us in," added Bailey.
The next State Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday morning and will be held in the same meeting room as it has been in previous months.