Walters, OSDE Respond to Severe Weather Outbreak

Full Resources of Agency Available to Affected Districts

Oklahoma City, Okla – To ensure support for our students and affected school districts, State Superintendent Ryan Walters is implementing a full-scale response to Saturday night’s severe weather outbreak in the state.

“I have directed the full resources of our agency to provide operational and academic support to all districts affected by last night’s storms,” said Walters. “Oklahomans are strong and resilient people. My prayers are with our people, and our actions will support them. My office will do everything possible to help our friends, neighbors, and students through this time of crisis.”

OSDE is in contact with affected districts around the state to:

• Provide waivers or extensions for testing, expedite claims, provide exemptions for any requirements, and extend any deadlines necessary.
• Make available the OSDE crisis response team to any district needing additional support or resources.
• Deploy additional OSDE staff to substitute in districts with teachers who need to attend to any personal losses and challenges.
• Reach out to families who receive support from SoonerStart to ensure continuity of services for infants and toddlers.
• Utilize any other OSDE resources to be made available to students and districts in need.

OSDE is working closely with the Office of the Governor and leadership of the Oklahoma Legislature to coordinate the response effort and encourages affected districts to contact the agency immediately for support and access to resources.

For more information regarding the OSDE crisis response team, including contact information please visit - https://sde.ok.gov/crisis-preparedness-response.

Updates will follow as more information becomes available.