They are defying the superintendent.
The Norman Public Schools district in Oklahoma has decided not to implement a directive from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, which mandates the inclusion of the Bible in public school curricula. Superintendent Nick Migliorino announced that the district will not integrate the Bible into its social studies classes and will not require teachers to incorporate biblical teachings.
Migliorino clarified his position in an interview with The Norman Transcript, stating unequivocally, “Norman Public Schools will not have Bibles in our classrooms, nor will we require our teachers to teach from the Bible.” He emphasized that the district’s current curriculum and standards will remain unchanged.
This decision has received support from some local families and Democratic officials, including Representative Annie Menz, who serves the Norman area. Menz criticized the directive, suggesting that resources would be better spent on expanding free lunch programs rather than incorporating religious texts into education. She praised the district for prioritizing students’ needs over what she views as attempts at indoctrination.
In contrast, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Department of Education criticized the district’s stance as being “anti-knowledge,” arguing that the Bible plays a significant role in American history and culture. The spokesperson contended that excluding the Bible from instructional materials is a form of academic malpractice.
Walters’ directive has attracted national attention, coinciding with a recent Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Walters has indicated that details on the directive will be shared with schools soon, aiming to address concerns that the Bible’s historical role is underrepresented in education. He also mentioned that state officials are revising curriculum standards to incorporate more direct references to the Bible in history classes.
David Barton, a member of the committee revising the standards, is known for his controversial interpretations of American history. Meanwhile, Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, has stated that her organization will closely monitor the implementation of Walters’ policy and be prepared to take action if necessary.