Oklahoma Teachers Sue Over Attempt to Recover Improperly Awarded Bonuses

State Superintendent Ryan Walters faces criticism as teachers are asked to return up to $50,000 in bonuses they were mistakenly awarded.

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.