In a heated legal battle involving Oklahoma’s state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, a Tulsa County judge recently heard arguments about whether a libel lawsuit against Walters should be dismissed. The lawsuit was filed by Rob Miller, the superintendent of Bixby Public Schools, one of the state’s fastest-growing districts. The case centers around Walters’ public comments, where he referred to Miller as “a clown and a liar” and accused Bixby’s district of being under investigation for financial misconduct.
At the heart of the controversy, Miller’s attorneys argue that Walters knew, or should have known, that his statements were false, particularly given that just two days prior, Walters had signed a letter confirming that every school in Bixby was in good standing. This letter reaffirmed the district's sound financial status, making Walters’ later claims appear highly questionable.
On the other side, Walters’ legal team has urged the judge to dismiss the case entirely, citing the legal principle of sovereign immunity. This doctrine essentially shields state officials from lawsuits while they are performing their official duties. Additionally, Walters’ lawyers argue that Miller, as a public figure, hasn’t proven that Walters acted with "actual malice" when making his remarks.
During the hearing, one of Walters’ attorneys, Chad Kutmas, warned that allowing the case to proceed would open the door for "every thin-skinned politician" to file similar lawsuits. Walters’ legal team contends that he was simply speaking within his official capacity following a state Board of Education meeting on July 31, though they acknowledged that Walters used "colorful language" in his remarks.
What adds an intriguing twist to the case is that Walters chose not to attend the hearing, despite the significant nature of the lawsuit. While Miller was present with his attorneys, Walters’ whereabouts remained unknown. During the time of the hearing, Walters posted at least two tweets from his personal social media account, one addressing "Communist China" and another discussing the elimination of the federal Department of Education.
Judge Daman Cantrell, the third judge to preside over the case, has given himself 30 days to issue a ruling. If he decides to dismiss the case with prejudice, it would mean that the lawsuit cannot be refiled. However, Miller’s legal team insists that the case has enough merit to proceed.
The case also highlights the ongoing tension between Walters and Miller, which has been building since 2018 when Miller became the superintendent of Bixby. During his tenure, Miller has earned accolades, including being named region Superintendent of the Year in 2020 and receiving the State Assistant Superintendent of the Year award in 2018. Before taking the helm at Bixby, Miller was a highly regarded principal in Jenks Public Schools, where he was named the State Middle School Principal of the Year in 2014 and even a finalist for the National Principal of the Year award.
The legal drama unfolded after Miller publicly questioned the delay in notifying school districts about their Title I funding allocations, a vital piece of information for budgeting. Title I funding, which is directed to schools serving low-income students, is typically announced in late spring or early summer. However, in 2023, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, under Walters’ leadership, failed to provide this crucial information on time, leaving districts like Bixby in limbo.
Miller took to social media on July 27 to express his frustration, asking why the department had not provided this information yet. His post resonated with other Oklahoma superintendents, who echoed his concerns but were also left without answers from Walters’ office.
Just days later, Walters lashed out in a press conference after a Board of Education meeting, accusing Miller of being a liar and suggesting that Bixby’s district was facing serious financial problems. Walters went as far as to call Miller "a clown," claiming that he had never reached out to the state about any issues with Title I funding.
In response, Bixby Public Schools released a clean annual audit, which confirmed the district’s financial stability. They also accused Walters of making unfounded and damaging statements about district staff. Miller demanded an apology, but as of the hearing, none had been issued.
Miller’s legal team presented compelling evidence during the hearing to support their case. One key piece of evidence was a letter signed by Walters on July 29, just two days before his public outburst. The letter confirmed that all schools in the Bixby district had been re-accredited without deficiencies, signaling that the district was in good financial health. This letter directly contradicted Walters’ claims about financial problems within Bixby and reinforced Miller’s argument that Walters made his statements in bad faith.
However, Walters’ attorneys dismissed the significance of the accreditation letter, arguing that it didn’t change the fact that Miller had publicly questioned the timing of Title I funding notices. Walters’ legal team maintains that he was simply speaking in his official capacity when he made the statements, even if those statements were harsh.
Miller’s attorney, Michael Barkett, pushed back against Walters’ claim of sovereign immunity, arguing that public officials who act in bad faith, such as making malicious defamation claims, are not protected by immunity. Barkett emphasized that maliciously spreading false information is a clear example of bad faith behavior, which falls outside the scope of government employment.
The legal battle is far from over, and with Walters facing multiple lawsuits in both state and federal courts, this case adds to a growing list of legal challenges. Walters is currently embroiled in at least 16 lawsuits, which range from allegations of defamation and wrongful termination to accusations of violating open-meeting laws and overstepping his authority in creating educational mandates.
This lawsuit is just the latest chapter in the ongoing feud between Walters and Miller. It also reflects broader tensions in Oklahoma’s education system, as both sides continue to clash over leadership, accountability, and the handling of federal funds. While Walters has become a prominent figure in national media, his legal troubles may be far from over.
The next 30 days will be critical as Judge Cantrell prepares to make his decision. If the case proceeds, it could have far-reaching implications for public figures like Walters and set a precedent for future defamation lawsuits involving government officials. For now, both sides remain locked in a battle that will likely shape the future of Oklahoma’s education policy and the state’s legal landscape.
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