Bixby Superintendent Sues State Superintendent for Defamation

TULSA, Okla. — Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller has initiated a civil lawsuit against State Superintendent Ryan Walters, seeking $75,000 in damages for alleged libel and slander. The lawsuit arises from remarks made by Walters during a recent State Board of Education meeting, where he labeled Miller a "liar" in response to Miller's social media post regarding Title I funding information that he claimed Walters had failed to provide to school districts. The conflict escalated when Walters publicly accused Miller of dishonesty, asserting that he was well aware of the Title I funding process, which has remained consistent for over a decade. Following these comments, Miller requested an apology from Walters, which he did not receive. The lawsuit contends that Walters' statements have gone viral, spreading what Miller describes as "false, defamatory, and malicious" claims about him to a wide audience, both within the state and beyond. Additionally, the suit alleges that a spokesperson for Walters disseminated a "malicious, false" statement to the media, suggesting that Miller should focus on financial accountability rather than deflecting blame. This statement was also reported by various media outlets, further amplifying the dispute. In response to the lawsuit, Walters' office characterized Miller's legal action as a frivolous attempt to manipulate the legal system, asserting that Miller has been attempting to defame Walters in the media. The ongoing legal battle highlights the tensions between the two education leaders in Oklahoma.