The move aims to address what State Superintendent Ryan Walters describes as gross mismanagement and bureaucracies that prioritize administrative paychecks over kids’ needs.
Last year, Oklahoma families faced a $42 million bill for school meals, in addition to their taxes, while administrators received a 14% salary increase, Walters stated.
“Oklahoma taxpayers are being triple-taxed to cover lunches while bureaucrats fatten their wallets,” said Walters. “We need less administrators in our schools. We need to get taxpayers dollars to the students, not to grow bureaucracy.”
Walters emphasized the need to reduce administrative roles in schools and redirect taxpayer dollars directly to students.
The new guidelines will compel districts to cut unnecessary expenses and ensure funds are allocated to students, preventing families from bearing the cost of mismanaged meal programs. Walters warned, “This isn’t negotiable. Bureaucrats who can’t prioritize students over their own perks will be shown the door.”
