Oklahoma State School Superintendent Ryan Walters announced on Fox News Channel that his school district would be implementing new policies to allow students to express their patriotism after an Oklahoma high school student was ordered by school staff to remove an American flag from his truck earlier this month. Walters said under the new state school guidelines, no student will face punishment for displaying the flag or demonstrating their love for the country and its founding principles. He added that they would not tolerate “anti-Americanism.
Walters’ appearance on Fox News Channel followed an incident where Edmond North High School senior Caleb Horst was reportedly instructed by school officials to remove the American flag from his pick-up truck, which he used for driving to school. The public school superintendent condemned the decision and declared that his department was working on changing state school rules to address it.
Edmond Public Schools denied their stance on flag flying had anything to do with patriotism but maintained that it was about safety and avoiding distractions during the school day. However, Horst argued that he had been flying the flags from his vehicle for some time without any issues and felt confident in his right to free speech by displaying them.
Walters emphasized that no school in Oklahoma should prohibit students from waving an American flag, as many Americans have died fighting for that flag and the rights it represents. He stated that his department was working on guidelines to ensure that no student would be targeted for having an American flag and that schools would promote patriotism.
Fox News Channel’s interview with Walters highlighted some of the new guidelines his department has enacted, such as requiring schools to develop a clear policy allowing flags to be flown and displayed, mandating students in the state to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week, and ensuring that schools file reports to show they are complying with these guidelines.
Walters expressed his intent to stand against “anti-Americanism” pushed by the Biden administration, teachers’ unions, and the radical left and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting students’ right to fly the American flag in Oklahoma schools. He also mentioned that the state’s schools are working on revising their social studies standards to gain a better understanding of the American founding.
