Former Board Secretary Sues Oklahoma Education Department Over Discrimination Claims

October 31, 2026 - 04:59

OKLAHOMA CITY - A former secretary for the Oklahoma State Board of Education has filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming she was subjected to age and gender discrimination as well as retaliation during her time working under former state Superintendent Ryan Walters.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that the former employee experienced a hostile work environment and faced adverse treatment because of her age and gender. According to court documents, the plaintiff contends that her complaints about workplace conduct were met with retaliation rather than resolution.

The suit names the Oklahoma State Department of Education as a defendant and seeks damages for emotional distress, lost wages and other harms allegedly suffered during her employment. The filing describes a pattern of behavior that the plaintiff says created an untenable working situation and ultimately led to her departure.

Attorneys for the plaintiff argue that the department failed to address concerns raised internally and instead allowed a culture of discrimination to persist. The lawsuit also claims that the retaliation she experienced came directly in response to her objections about how she was being treated.

Representatives for the Oklahoma State Department of Education have not publicly commented on the pending litigation. The case adds to a growing list of legal challenges facing the agency in recent years.

The lawsuit is expected to proceed through the federal court system, with initial hearings likely to be scheduled in the coming months.