State lawmaker wants new requirements to run for State Superintendent

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A state lawmaker is advocating for a new set of requirements for Oklahomans running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Rep. Andy Fugate (D-Del City) authored HJR1008, which would require an amendment to the state constitution to go into effect.

"This is not a partisan issue," said Fugate. "What we're talking about here is the quality of education and educational leadership in the State of Oklahoma."

Fugate said his inspiration boils down to the fact that the Superintendent of Public Instruction is responsible for administering education law and that it's a critical point in Oklahoma to have someone elected who understands what education law says.

"It's also important that we have somebody who chooses to abide by the law," said Fugate. "But as a baseline, we ought to have people in that position who understand what the law is and how it is to be applied."

The gist of the resolution, which Fugate calls a foundational piece for improving educational outcomes, would see two big requirements.

One requirement would make candidates complete their public school administrator certification. The second would require them to prove that they have been actively applying that knowledge through leadership.

"Requires them to have five years experience applying the law so that we have an opportunity to see how they have done in that position," said Fugate.

That five years of experience could be either as a public school principal or superintendent.

"While we have some amazing teachers in the state of Oklahoma, amazing teaching doesn't translate into understanding what the law says, and to me, that's the important part," said Fugate. "You need leadership, but you also need understanding of the principles and what the law says to apply those things correctly in your leadership of education in Oklahoma."

Fugate says the resolution has currently been referred to the House Rules Committee for further review before it is brought to the floor for debate.

News 4 asked Fugate about concerns that some of the general public may view the resolution as an attack on current State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

"It's not," said Fugate. "It doesn't take effect until 2030, which even if he were to stand for reelection, he would be out of office at that point. So this is a, let's move forward, let's learn from what we have seen and make good decisions in the future."

News 4 reached out to a spokesperson for Superintendent Walters on Friday for comment but did not hear back.