Overview

• Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters is facing bipartisan criticism over attempts to recover bonuses of up to $50,000 that were improperly awarded to several teachers.
• The bonuses were part of a program using federal funds to offer incentives to new teachers who agreed to work for five years in hard-to-fill jobs like special education and early elementary.
• Several teachers who received the bonuses are now being told they have to repay the funds by the end of February because they didn’t meet all of the qualifications.
• At least two teachers have sued Walters and the department for breach of contract, seeking to keep the awards as well as damages of more than $75,000.
• Walters has stated that the department is working with the federal government to ensure there is no clawback of the bonuses as long as all federal requirements are met.