Oklahoma Modifies Requirements for Classroom Bibles to Allow More Options
Oklahoma has adjusted its request for 55,000 Bibles to be distributed in public school classrooms, ensuring that other versions, beyond the one supported by former President Donald Trump, can now meet the state’s approval requirements.
Changes to the Request and Deadlines
On Monday, the state amended its request, removing the stipulation that certain U.S. historical documents, like the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, must be included with the Bibles. Politico reported that these original requirements had previously aligned with the “God Bless the USA Bible,” a version promoted by Trump earlier this year, which is significantly more expensive than other Bibles available.
Under the updated request, the historical documents can now be provided separately from the Bibles. Additionally, the deadline for proposals to supply the books has been extended from October 14 to October 21.
State Superintendent’s Push for Bibles in Schools
The drive to place Bibles in classrooms is spearheaded by State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who has faced opposition from some of the state’s largest school districts. Walters recently shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), in which he defended the initiative, stating that the Bible is a critical part of U.S. history and should be used in schools for its historical significance.
Walters also criticized what he called “fake news media” for misrepresenting the measure, claiming that the media’s bias against Trump and the Bible has led to misinformation about the initiative.
Clarification from State Officials
A spokesperson for Walters clarified the changes, emphasizing that the amendments to the request were made by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). Dan Issett, speaking on behalf of the office, stated that misleading reports suggesting the request was tailored to benefit one specific Bible manufacturer were false. He stressed that creating a request for only one vendor would be illegal.
OMES spokesperson Christa Helfrey explained that the revisions aimed to lower costs and provide a better value to Oklahomans. “OMES worked with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) to amend the solicitation to provide the listed resources at a much better value,” Helfrey stated.
Previous Specifications and Pricing Disparities
Initially, the state’s request included specific requirements that aligned with the Bible Trump promoted, which retails for $59.99. Other Bibles, however, can be purchased for less than $20. The original request drew criticism for appearing to favor a more expensive option over less costly alternatives.
The revised terms aim to make the process more affordable and ensure a broader selection of Bibles can meet the state’s criteria.
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