After an Oklahoma high school student was instructed to remove an American flag from his truck, State School Superintendent Ryan Walters has mandated new policies to encourage patriotic displays in schools. The move comes in response to the incident at Edmond North High School, where senior Caleb Horst was told by school officials to take down the flag due to a long-standing policy that prohibits flags on campus.
Appearing on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Walters criticized the school’s decision, calling it “anti-Americanism” and vowing to implement new guidelines that would allow students to display the flag without fear of punishment. “We’re not going to tolerate this anti-Americanism,” Walters declared, emphasizing that Oklahoma schools will now be required to foster a sense of pride in the nation’s history and values.
The original policy at Edmond North High School was intended to prevent distractions and ensure safety in the parking lot. However, Walters argued that the policy was being misapplied to suppress patriotic expression. In response, he announced that all schools in the state would be required to develop clear policies allowing the display of the American flag and to report their compliance with these new rules.
Additionally, the new guidelines will require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week as part of the state’s effort to promote patriotism in education. Walters also pointed to a broader effort to counter leftist influences in schools, stating that Oklahoma will lead the way in promoting love of country and respect for the American flag.
