State Superintendent tells school districts not to comply with new Title XI rules

OKLAHOMA (KFOR) - Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters is pushing back on the Biden Administration telling school districts not to comply with the new Title XI regulations. The new rules would prohibit sex-based discrimination at government-funded schools. 

Walters argues the recent rule changes are illegal and unconstitutional. On Tuesday, he told all Oklahoma superintendents to not make any changes based on the new regulations. 

“If the Biden administration really wants to move forward with the most radical initiatives that we have ever seen in the country’s history we’re gonna sue him,” said Ryan Walters, Oklahoma State Superintendent. 

That was Walters' promise last year if the rule became law. 

In a letter to all Oklahoma public school superintendents on Tuesday, Walters says the rules, “violate the First Amendment, the Administrative Procedures Act, and longstanding civil rights protections for women and girls. The USDE has not been given the legislative or judicial authority to redefine 'sex.'” 

“What we’re seeing now is the federal government’s obsession with controlling our schools and pushing a radical agenda,” said Walters. 

In the letter he also wrote, “I hope and expect there to be a preliminary injunction and possibly a permanent injunction that would delay the implementation of these rules while the rule is decided in federal court, which could be an indefinite amount of time.” 

News 4 reached out to several Oklahoma school districts asking if they planned to comply with Walters rules. 

Mustang Public Schools superintendent Charles Bradley responded saying, “We will take time to digest what was announced today and consult our legal counsel moving forward."  

Mid-Del Public Schools officials told KFOR, "We plan to review the federal guidelines and the memo from Walters with our legal counsel before potentially changing any policies." 

Oklahoma City Public Schools District sent KFOR the following statement:

“Our legal department is reviewing the letter received this morning from the State Superintendent as well as the new Title IX regulations. 

OKCPS remains committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for every student. We want our community to know that our focus is on educating children and ensuring they have a positive school experience. We believe all children deserve access to a quality education and we remain committed to providing that to every student in OKCPS.”

The rule changes are set to go into effect on August 1. Walters also told superintendents the agency will be offering legal and policy support that they may need when avoiding compliance. 

News 4 reached out to the Biden Administration, the U.S. Department of Education and Walters for a comment, but we are still waiting to hear back.