Calling Ryan Walters! Repeat: Calling Ryan Walters! Here’s something real and legitimate for you to be outraged about.
Earlier this week, Kingfisher Public Schools announced it was cutting 21 teaching and administrative positions to offset the cost of a $5-million settlement related to abuse within its football program.
Remember that effed-up mess?
Back in 2021, a student filed a lawsuit alleging hazing and abuse in the Kingfisher football program. Instead of supporting the student and taking the allegations seriously, the school board stood by their "good ole boy" football coach, Jeff Myers, rejecting a $1.5-million settlement offer in the process.
Fast forward through plenty of drama and a deeper investigation: as more evidence surfaced, Myers was charged with child neglect, and the district was ultimately forced to cough up a much larger $5-million settlement.
News 9 covered the fallout and how it’s affecting former Kingfisher Public Schools employees like Kevin Yeagley. Towards the end of their piece, they revealed some truly infuriating news.
While the district slashes jobs to cover the settlement for the rampant abuse and hazing in its football program, the man who oversaw that program—and is now facing criminal charges—is still collecting a paycheck:
As for Myers, the former head coach is charged with child neglect for allegedly allowing hazing and bullying on the football team. Evans says Myers is still on the payroll, on paid administrative leave until his criminal case is resolved. A realization that doesn’t sit well with Yeagley.
“Yeah, knowing he's still getting paid, and I won't be anymore is kind of rough,” Yeagley said. “I've got three young children. It's just a tough situation.”
Pretty insane, huh?
I’m not entirely sure how all this stuff works, but could our esteemed lawmakers maybe pass a law prohibiting disgraced former football coaches—especially those facing criminal charges for overseeing a culture of hazing and abuse that cost their district a $5-million settlement—from continuing to collect a paycheck?
I know it would be a popular, non-partisan idea that, as a result, will never see the light of day, but at least try introducing it as an amendment to a bill about putting the Bible in schools.
On that note, Ryan Walters is, obviously, still silent on this issue.
Even though Coach Myers' situation is a very real problem that has both directly and indirectly affected a lot of people, Walters has turned a blind eye. Instead, he’s busy making national press appearances, rubbing elbows with right-wing celebrities, and praying for the dude from Duck Dynasty.
While he's in a praying mood, maybe Ryan should also ask his God to help all the students affected by their school district's moronic decision to support a moronic football coach?
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
