Former Teacher Sues OSDE, Ryan Walters Over Revoked License

UPDATE: Former Norman High School teacher Summer Boismier has filed a lawsuit against the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and Superintendent Ryan Walters following the controversial revocation of her teaching license. The lawsuit, filed on October 31, 2024, claims that Boismier’s license was revoked in retaliation for her outspoken criticism of a statewide book ban and her advocacy for racial minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.

In a statement to News 4, Boismier expressed her motivation for the lawsuit, stating, “I think I’m looking for, maybe freedom, for Oklahoma teachers and students who’ve been teaching and most importantly, learning from places of fear the last few years.” Her attorney, Iris Halpern, argues that the defendants personally violated the Constitution and specific laws, which will carry implications for them even after leaving their positions.

The legal action follows a decision by Walters and five former Board of Education members to revoke Boismier’s teaching certificate, a move she describes as a direct result of her efforts to promote academic freedom. “It is understood that Ms. Boismier and her counsel are aware of the change in administration and are proceeding accordingly,” stated Bailey Woolsey, OSDE Press Secretary.

The lawsuit highlights the contentious issue surrounding HB 1775, a law aimed at banning specific discussions on race and gender in Oklahoma schools. Boismier’s defense centers on her sharing of a QR code linked to a public library in Brooklyn, New York, which, according to her attorneys, did not lead to any explicit material or banned books. “It was a URL where you can apply for a library card and have access to their whole entire digital collection,” Halpern clarified.

Boismier’s career has taken a significant hit due to the license revocation. “I can’t work in the field that I’ve previously worked in because I don’t have a valid teaching certificate,” she explained, noting that she has submitted over 300 job applications without receiving a single offer.

The defendants now have a limited time to respond to the lawsuit. Halpern anticipates that the litigation could extend for at least a year, leaving many in the Oklahoma education community anxious about the implications for academic freedom and teachers’ rights.

This case emerges against the backdrop of ongoing debates about educational policies and the rights of educators in Oklahoma. As the situation develops, Boismier’s fight for her license and the principles she stands for could have far-reaching effects for teachers statewide.

Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent story and its implications for education in Oklahoma.