Overview

• State Superintendent Ryan Walters issued a directive for a synchronized noon moment of silence on Sept. 16 to honor slain activist Charlie Kirk.
• Urban districts including Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Mustang, Deer Creek, Tulsa, Jenks, Bixby, Broken Arrow and Owasso declined, citing the state-required morning minute and midday disruptions, though at least one private Christian school in Yukon joined the noon observance.
• Walters publicly condemned districts that opted out, accusing them of refusing to honor Kirk and asserting the tribute aligned with family values.
• The Oklahoma State Department of Education opened an investigation into a Sand Springs teacher over social media comments about Kirk’s killing.
• Kirk was fatally shot during a Utah Valley University event in what police described as a targeted attack, and 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was scheduled for an initial court appearance Tuesday on potential aggravated murder charges.