Norman Public Schools announced it will not show students a state-mandated video featuring State Superintendent Ryan Walters promoting religion and patriotism in public schools in an email sent to parents on Friday.
The video, which was mandated by Walters in an email sent Thursday to superintendents across the state, includes Walters announcing Oklahoma’s new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism, denouncing “the radical left” and praying for President-elect Donald Trump.
“Norman Public Schools will not show this video to students or send it to families,” NPS Superintendent Nick Migliorino wrote in the email. “There is no authority or requirement compelling us to do so, and Mr. Walters’ agency has the means to distribute it independently, if desired.”
NPS’ decision aligns school districts across the state that have done the same, including Bixby Public Schools, Caney Valley Public Schools, Edmond Public Schools, Union Public Schools, Owasso Public Schools, Jenks Public Schools, Tulsa Public Schools and Preston Public Schools, according to News 9.
According to the email, NPS will continue to separate “mere distractions” and “rhetoric” from “relevant and practical information.” The email adds NPS welcomes an inclusive environment that neither promotes nor threatens religious beliefs.
“I also want to encourage you, as I did staff, to keep things in perspective during times of heightened rhetoric and public debate. While these external conversations can be distracting and overwhelming at times, remember they are just conversations,” Migliorino wrote. “If anything factual or legal requires us to adjust our teaching and learning approaches in Norman Public Schools, I promise you’ll hear about it directly from me, from district leaders and/or your child’s principal.
“Until then, we will be focused on what matters most: teaching and caring for your children every day.”
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ana Barboza. Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
