Following the resignation of Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, several local businesses in Oklahoma City have organized events to raise money for the city's public school system. The initiatives aim to directly support teachers and classrooms, turning a significant political departure into a community-led effort to bolster education.
Walters, who served for two years and was known for his controversial stances on education policy, stepped down on Thursday, September 25, 2025. By Friday night, local establishments were already hosting fundraisers, with proceeds designated for the Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) foundation.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan Walters resigned as Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Public Instruction after a two-year term.
- Oklahoma City businesses, including 51st Street Speakeasy, are hosting fundraisers in response.
- All proceeds are being donated to the Oklahoma City Public Schools foundation to fund teacher projects directly.
- Organizers describe the effort as a bipartisan move to increase community involvement in local education.
Community Rallies to Support Teachers
In the immediate aftermath of Walters' departure, Oklahoma City's local business community mobilized quickly. Several independent events were organized across the city, all sharing the common goal of supporting public school teachers.
Kellen McGugan, who organized a fundraising party at the 51st Street Speakeasy, reported that between 100 and 150 people attended the event on Friday night. He emphasized that the gathering was not just about celebrating a political change but about taking positive action for schools.
Other businesses, including OKC Cider Co. and Rocco on Western, also announced similar fundraising events. According to McGugan, these initiatives appeared to be spontaneous and uncoordinated, reflecting a widely shared sentiment within the community.
Direct Impact on Classrooms
The funds raised from these events will be channeled through the OKCPS foundation's "DonorsChoose" platform. This online portal allows teachers to post specific classroom needs, and donors can contribute directly to those projects, ensuring transparency and immediate impact.
Walters' Controversial Tenure and Departure
Ryan Walters' time as State Superintendent was marked by frequent public debate. During his two years in office, he was a vocal opponent of policies related to critical race theory and LGBTQ+ student rights. He also frequently clashed with teachers' unions in Oklahoma.
His resignation came on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Following his departure from public office, it was announced that Walters would be taking on a new role as CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, an organization known for its anti-union stance.
The community's reaction highlights the division his policies created. Organizers of the fundraisers noted that the desire to support schools following his exit was a sentiment shared across the political spectrum.
"It's pretty interesting that it's a very bipartisan sentiment. Democrats and Republicans both agree that [Walters] was a waste of time," McGugan told The Oklahoman.
A New Model for School Fundraising
The organizers chose a specific method to ensure the money raised would have a clear and direct benefit. Instead of a general donation, the funds will be used to fulfill requests on the "DonorsChoose" website, a platform used by the OKCPS foundation.
This approach allows for a high level of transparency. Donors and organizers can see exactly which classroom projects are being funded, from new books to science equipment.
Targeted and Transparent Giving
McGugan explained the reasoning behind this decision, highlighting a common concern with charitable giving.
"We're going down the list and we're going to fulfill as many projects as we can until we run out of money," he said. "We felt like that was a better way to use the money than just giving a lump sum to a charitable entity, because at the end of the day, sometimes you don't really know where the money goes."
This strategy empowers teachers by directly addressing their stated needs and gives the community confidence that their contributions are making a tangible difference in local classrooms.
What is DonorsChoose?
DonorsChoose is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom projects. Teachers from across the country post requests for materials and experiences their students need, and donors can choose the projects they want to support.
A Call for Greater Civic Engagement
Beyond the immediate goal of fundraising, organizers see these events as a catalyst for increased community involvement in public education and local governance. McGugan stressed that the gatherings were not about celebrating a political departure in a negative way, but about inspiring positive, long-term change.
He noted that many attendees were not parents of school-aged children but were citizens who wanted to become more involved in their community.
"Some people that showed up, they didn't have kids," he explained. "And they wanted to get involved. That was the whole point."
The central message, according to McGugan, is that a lack of public involvement can lead to negative outcomes in government and education. He hopes these events mark a turning point.
"The reason things got so bad is because people haven't been involved, and this is a step in the right direction to getting people to care about not just their local schools, but their local governments," he said. "At the end of the day, they work for us and not the other way around."
