The Oklahoma Secretary of Education is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The secretary is appointed by the governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the governor. The secretary serves as the chief advisor to the governor on public education issues and needs.
The previous secretary, Ryan Walters, was appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt in 2020. Walters was ousted on April 11, 2023 after failing to resign from his position upon taking office as the elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction on January 9, 2023. Governor Stitt appointed Nellie Tayloe Sanders as the new Secretary of Education on January 24, 2024.
The position of Secretary of Education was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986.[citation needed] The Act directs the Secretary of Education to advise the Governor on public education policy and advise the state public education agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor.[citation needed]
Oklahoma state law allows for Cabinet secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a state agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Education has not served in any such dual position. [citation needed]
The Secretary of Education oversees the State's public education system. This includes elementary education, secondary education, vocational education and higher education. The Secretary is chiefly responsible for ensuring accountability and performance from the educational system. The Secretary also oversees all libraries in the State and is responsible for ensuring that teachers are appropriately prepared to perform their duties.
As of fiscal year 2011, the Secretary of Education oversees 1,128 full-time employees and is responsible for an annual budget of over $6 billion. Of that budget, only $209 million (or 3%) is spent on operating the various State agencies under the Secretary's supervision. The remaining $5.9 billion is used as payments to local education agencies, such as school districts and universities, to support their activities.
The Oklahoma Legislature has charged the Secretary with several duties and responsibilities:[1]
The Secretary of Education oversees the following state entities:
The annual salary for the position of Secretary of Education set by State law at $65,000.[2] Despite this, if the Secretary serves as the head of State agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. [citation needed]