OSDE Meetings: A Glimpse Behind the Curtain

Sign-Up for a free subscription to The Black Wall Street Times‘ daily newsletter, Black Editors’ Edition (BEE) – our curated news selections & opinions by us for you.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Every month the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSDE) congregates to discuss public school matters. Districts that have had their accreditation held in limbo present progress reports. Concerned citizens also utilize public comment to communicate their frustration directly to State Superintendent Ryan Walters. 

Thursday’s April meeting took a shocking turn when one commentator was arrested. Audra Beasley used her allotted three minutes to question why disability accommodations are not provided in the Oliver Hodge building where the OSDE operates. Beasley is a mother of three, one of whom has a disability. 

She showcased a portable changing table that she uses for her son due to the absence of an appropriate one in the state building. 

Another child of Beasley’s was signed up to speak after her. As her son took to the podium, Beasley could be heard calling Walters a “bigot and a bully.” Her son then asked Walters candidly why he bullies trans and disabled kids. 

Beasley continued to press the board about ADA accommodations while her son was at the podium. That’s when Oklahoma Highway Patrol placed her under arrest. Beasley was then booked in the Oklahoma County Jail and charged with willful disruption. 

Once officers escorted Beasley out of the room, public comment trekked on. 

Nature of OSDE Meetings

Community organizer and queer advocate Jakob Lavicky who has attended several OSDE meetings, sat down with The Black Wall Street Times about the experience. 

The meetings are notoriously hard to access. There is only room for 49 people, including Department of Education staff and the press. Those who don’t secure their spots early on have to listen in from the hallway. One group has sent a letter to the department saying the lack of access violates the Open Meetings Act.

With limited room available, those who wish to participate in public comment will camp outside of the Hodges building the night before each meeting. According to Lavicky, those who arrive first get the opportunity to speak. Previously, the board held public comment at the beginning of every meeting. They have since pushed it to the end of the agenda just before the board adjourns.

Related Stories

• Lawmakers, Former Employees Frustrated with OSDE
• Emergency State Board meeting expected to close schools until April 6
• US could soon have its first Black woman Senator from the South
• Walters disputes teacher bonus recalls, blames journalists
• Obama endorses Cheri Beasley for Senate in North Carolina

Advocates from organizations such as Freedom Oklahoma and the Human Rights Campaign have frequented OSDE meetings. Nicole McAfee, the Executive Director of Freedom OK, spoke at April’s meeting. “These meetings are inaccessible and what I know that means is you’re not hearing from folks who are most impacted.”

Those not able to arrive hours before the meetings have to watch live from the department’s Facebook page.

Criticism of Walters’ Rhetoric

Lavicky spoke at the two most recent meetings to amply the voices of Oklahoma’s LGBTQ+ community. Walters and the department have found themselves at the center of heavy criticism following the death of Nex Benedict. 

“It has been 77 days since the passing of Nex Benedict,” Lavicky stated during public comment. Data from the Rainbow Youth Project, a mental health hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, reveals a rise in crisis calls. “After the death of Nex, the monthly suicide hotline calls have increased over 300%.”

Lavicky, who identifies as non-binary and gay spoke of the emotions at play when face to face with Walters. “First thing that comes to mind, outside of being queer, is that just being a dissenting voice to Walters is a very heavy experience,” they stated. “Sitting there in that energy as a person scoffs or throws more political rhetoric at you feels like an out-of-body experience.”

Lavicky also brought attention to the expertise current board members offer. 

Current Board Members

What do an oil executive, financier and accountant all have in common? If you guessed a seat on the state Board of Education you are correct. Of the five additional members on the board, only one has experience working in Oklahoma’s public schools. Aside from Walters, Gov. Stitt appointed all current board members.

We asked Lavicky if Walters ever appears remorseful during public comment. “No, he lives for this,” Lavicky responded. “Sometimes he’ll smirk, grimace or scoff.” 

When state troopers arrested Beasley at Thursday’s meeting, Lavicky noted that only one board member showed penitence. Katie Quebedeaux, the sole member with experience in public schools, reportedly teared up as officers escorted Beasley out.