Republican Joy Hofmeister today called for a federal investigation into incumbent State Superintendent Janet Barresi.
Hofmeister said today she will provide emails showing that Barresi had full knowledge of the privacy violations of Department of Education student records and refused to do anything about it until after intense pressure from state board members, the media, and legislators.
Hofmeister also charged that Barresi’s staff admits that her own campaign benefited from her use of private student records. This includes the records of special education students receiving the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship through the State Department of Education.
Parents of special needs students recently revealed that they learned their child’s name had been made public because Barresi’s campaign reached out to them.
“Janet Barresi has repeatedly violated the privacy of Oklahoma school children. She has posted their private academic records and personal information on the State Department of Education website. There are multiple state and federal laws prohibiting this sort of behavior,” Hofmeister said.
“These are egregious failures of which Janet Barresi is desperate to conceal while she continues to use her personal fortune to smear my name,” Hofmeister said.
“Barresi’s conduct is a pattern of abuse that I witnessed during my appointment to the State Board of Education and is one of the reasons why I am compelled to run against her. Superintendent Barresi’s gross violations of state and federal privacy laws need to be fully investigated.”
Barresi responded:
Maybe we’d be better off without a Ed Sup – at least not either of these pit bulls.
That is an excellent idea Mr. Woods. I have often wondered why we are not performing a wholesale overhaul of each and every Agency, Board, Commission and Department since we (that would be Republicans) now control the levers of State Government.
We seem to be sliding into keeping things going the way they are. Which is really sad, and pathetic, and a failure of both leadership and execution by a lot of people.
Also, why do we need a sec. of ed. along with the ed. sup. Neither one seems to be accomplishing much except for wasting our money on bogus testing.
To be fair, there have been some reforms and consolidations, but they have been of minor boards and commissions. It’s a start! However, it is now time for our “leaders” to find the political courage to take on the significant reforms.
I agree with Vern’s original comment about this race. It is sad that the people who want to be responsible for educating children are attacking each other the way they are.
Just exactly what has Janet other than implement a bogus testing regimen , talked and talked about what needs to be done,and then sat back and complained how her hands are tied. Really? If theses people would do the job right in the first place then they wouldn’t have to spend money in primaries. Our State Auditor and Inspector is a prime example of doing your job and not having an opponent to worry about so you can continue that job!
Oh, boy, weapons-grade accusations flying right and left! This race is getting interesting. I’m listening to a debate between these two right now and I’m waiting for the sounds of gunfire.
I’m starting to think Ivan Holmes might be the best choice. He’s a standard-issue, OEA style candidate who will leave the public schools in their normal bad shape and will thereby drive more people to homeschool or to private schools, where they will get real education.
My wife and I voted early today but our TV still picks up all those crappy political ads.
I don’t get it!
What’s the point in voting early?