Prime Highlights:
- Oklahoma Senate Education Committee approves three State Board of Education nominees under political fire.
- Mike Tinney’s nomination is approved despite initial resistance from his home district senator.
Key Facts:
- Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton intervened to sponsor Tinney’s nomination, clearing procedural hurdles.
- Nominees are Mike Tinney, Ryan Deatherage, and Becky Carson — all awaiting complete Senate confirmation.
Key Background:
The Oklahoma Senate Education Committee on May 20, 2025, cleared the way for the nominations of Mike Tinney, Ryan Deatherage, and Becky Carson to the State Board of Education. Although the process is usually pro forma, Tinney’s nomination was questioned because it was lacking support by his home senator, Lisa Standridge. Such lack of support usually keeps a candidate in check. But Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton has agreed to sponsor Tinney’s nomination, and it will move forward with a 10-2 vote in the committee. His confirmation, if completed, would come in April 2027.
Governor Kevin Stitt had previously named Tinney and the others earlier this year after abruptly ousting three prior board members. The three were ousted over a controversy surrounding a plan to collect immigration status data on public school students — something the governor dubbed as politically motivated and unjustified. The nominees now up for the panel were selected to bring professionalism and focus back to the board, the governor explained.
Since joining the board, newcomers have encountered their own set of challenges. During their first meeting last month in late February, they were requested to sign off on revised social studies standards. But soon learned last-minute additions had been placed into the standards — including content questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. These changes were not completely disclosed to board members before the vote and were purportedly led by State Superintendent Ryan Walters, which brought up concerns of transparency.
Retired special education teacher Becky Carson of Edmond was selected to complete a long-vacant seat representing Congressional District 5. Carson, in her testimony to a committee, indicated that she put student goals like reducing student absenteeism, increasing test scores, and strengthening teacher retention at the top of her list. She promised to keep her focus on the students and away from political agendas.
The final decision now lies with the Oklahoma Senate as a whole, who will debate approving all three nominees within the next several days.
