Ryan Walters and the Dangerous Playbook: Exposing the War on Public Schools

By Dr. Tim Slekar

Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s State Superintendent, is a master of manufactured outrage. His latest stunt? Blaming teachers’ unions for the New Orleans terror attack—a baseless and grotesque claim that shows just how far he’s willing to go to vilify public education. But Walters isn’t unique. He’s part of a growing movement—a coordinated, nationwide effort to dismantle public schools under the guise of patriotism. Let’s be clear: Walters’ toxic rhetoric isn’t just Oklahoma’s problem. It’s a direct threat to democracy, and it’s spreading.

The Playbook of Fear and Division

Walters follows a well-worn playbook designed to stoke fear and sow distrust:

1. Invent a Villain: Teachers’ unions are Walters’ favorite scapegoat. He’s called them “terrorist organizations” and now claims they’re responsible for creating “terrorist training camps” in schools.
2. Exploit Tragedy: Walters’ shameless attempt to link the New Orleans attack to public education is fearmongering at its worst.
3. Inflame with Buzzwords: Terms like “radical left” and “DEI” are wielded like weapons, dog whistles meant to distract from the emptiness of his policies.

This strategy isn’t new, and Walters isn’t acting alone. Across the country, figures like Florida’s Ron DeSantis and Texas’ anti-“woke” warriors are deploying the same tactics, turning public schools into battlegrounds in their quest for political gain.

The Threat to Democracy

Ryan Walters isn’t just a rogue actor. He’s part of a coordinated, well-funded effort to erode one of democracy’s most critical pillars: public education. The playbook is insidious:

• Defund Schools: Starve public schools of resources until they fail.
• Ban Books: Rewrite history by removing uncomfortable truths from classrooms.
• Attack Teachers: Undermine educators’ authority, morale, and credibility.

The goal? Replace public schools with privatized institutions that churn out compliant, unquestioning workers—not empowered, critical thinkers capable of challenging the status quo. If we don’t push back, the consequences will be catastrophic—not just for our schools, but for the very fabric of our democracy.

Fighting Back: A Call to Action

So, how do we fight this? It starts with recognizing that Walters is a symptom of a larger disease. Then we act.

1. Stay Vigilant: Walters’ rhetoric isn’t isolated. Look for these tactics in your own community—at school board meetings, in state legislatures, and on social media. Learn to spot and expose them.
2. Raise Your Voice: Their lies thrive in silence. Attend meetings. Write letters. Speak up. The louder we are, the harder it is for them to dominate the narrative.
3. Support Educators: Teachers and unions are on the front lines of this battle. They need our advocacy, solidarity, and unwavering support.

Public Education Is the Battlefield

Public education isn’t just a system—it’s a promise. It’s the foundation of our democracy, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to knowledge and the tools to succeed. Walters and his ilk aim to shatter that promise, replacing it with privatized systems that serve only the privileged few.

Bust-ED pencils’ Take

Let’s not mince words: Calling out Ryan Walters and his clones isn’t just a civic responsibility—it’s a moral imperative. Their rhetoric is more than inflammatory; it’s dangerous. And if defending public education makes us loud and disruptive, so be it. Silence equals complicity, and we refuse to be complicit.

This fight is bigger than Walters. His playbook only works in the shadows, feeding on fear and misinformation. But when we shine a light, demand accountability, and fiercely defend public schools, we dismantle their narrative.

Your Homework

Here’s the assignment: Identify the Ryan Walters in your community. Expose their lies. Speak up. Support your schools. Because this fight isn’t just about education—it’s about the future of our democracy. Public education is worth fighting for, and we’re just getting started.

Let’s go to work.