The state agency has taken action against 35 teachers since JanuaryOKLAHOMA CITY — A principal charged with inappropriately touching middle school boys. A teacher accused of sending sexual images to a student. Another charged with possessing child pornography.These stories and more make up a list of nine educators whose teaching certifications the Oklahoma State Board of Education suspended on Thursday. The board advanced revocation proceedings against nine others, most with similar allegations.State Superintendent Ryan Walters said his administration is moving quickly to address these cases.The state board has suspended or initiated revocation proceedings for about 35 educators since January, but critics say the Oklahoma State Department of Education still has been too slow to act.Walters said the state board could vote on more suspensions and revocations in the coming months.“If we find evidence of sexual misconduct by a teacher and we find teachers breaking that teacher code of conduct, we’re not going to wait on a conviction,” he said after Thursday’s board meeting. “We are absolutely going to move at that point in time.”New rules from the state Education Department, which the state Legislature is reviewing, would allow schools to fire teachers accused of sexual misconduct and could punish districts that continue to employ educators under investigation if they ultimately are convicted or have their certifications revoked.But, Walters’ administration has faced scrutiny for not taking quicker action against educators and coaches facing abuse allegations. Meanwhile, he has pursued a revocation case against former Norman High School teacher Summer Boismier, whom he criticized for having liberal political views.The state Board of Education again rescheduled a vote to June 27 on whether to revoke Boismier’s teaching license. The former English teacher posted a link in her classroom to an online catalog of banned books.Boismier is distinct from others on the state board’s agenda, having never been suspended, fired or criminally prosecuted.Educators whose certifications were suspended on Thursday include Stephen Gainor, who was fired from Oklahoma City Public Schools after reportedly putting an 11-year-old student in an improper hold, and Tyler Patrick McGrew, a Sapulpa teacher whom court records show was charged with distributing fentanyl.Donald Holt, a former Stigler High School teacher, was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography. Former Lexington High School teacher Vernon Tyler Thetford also faces criminal charges after being accused of sending sexual images of himself to a student.Their certifications are now suspended, pending a revocation hearing.Wewoka ...
