Earlier this month, State Superintendent Ryan Walters said he was demanding the federal government send a $474.9 million check to Oklahoma to reimburse the state for educating the children of undocumented immigrants.
While many viewed it as another attention-seeking tantrum, the silver lining is that Walters is finally admitting money matters in public schools. Last year, Walters proposed a cut to the state’s education department, claiming funding isn’t tied to better outcomes for public schools. But his invoice seeking nearly half a billion dollars demonstrates that he sees the need for more money in our classrooms.
All joking aside, Oklahoma’s immigrant community has contributed greatly to the state. Besides, legal precedent has already made it clear that schools are required to take in all children. Next time Walters passes a nativity scene this holiday season, he may do well to remember that there’s a migrant lying in the manger.
But since we’re all in the mood to demand reimbursements, Walters can expect this year’s Oklahoma Gazette Christmas card to include an invoice to reimburse the taxpayers for this useless PR stunt.
This article appears in Queen of Oklahoma.