OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Mark McBride, R-Moore, and Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, today called on State Superintendent Ryan Walters to hire a federal programs director for the Oklahoma State Department of Education immediately to take care of the needs of state public school students.

"With federal grant application deadlines looming, Oklahoma school superintendents are worried about having these critical dollars to continue to serve the needs of their students," the lawmakers said in a joint statement.

"Without these dollars, students will lack vital classroom instructional materials and supplies, and many will go hungry.

"Rather than take the steps needed to make sure the needs of all Oklahoma students are met, the state superintendent continues to rely on campaign rhetoric that focuses on cutting federal funding. There may be a time for that, but that will require a detailed plan that has legislative approval. Unfortunately, we have yet to see or approve such a plan.

"Until that happens, we need to be focused on ensuring our schools don't see a downturn in this vital funding so they can continue to serve every student entrusted to them."

The former deputy superintendent of federal programs at the OSDE left the department in January, and to their knowledge the position has not been replaced, the lawmakers said.

McBride chairs the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee for Education. Baker chairs the House Common Education Committee.