Opinion: Oklahoma's CEO of education has more sway than you'd think. Vote accordingly.

In next month’s primary election, or in the August runoff, Republican voters most likely will choose the next state schools superintendent. Four Republicans and one Democrat have announced their candidacies with the Democrat having a stiff challenge.

Many voters are unfamiliar with the constitutional eligibility requirements (age 31, U. S. citizen, and resident of the state for 10 years prior to the election — longest in the U.S. and two and one-half times the average), what the position entails and the candidates’ qualifications.

As a result of legislative enactment in 2011, the state superintendent exercises almost total prerogative over the employment of the 300-member staff of the Education Department with no purview of the Board of Education. With a budget of tens of millions of dollars to oversee the certification of 55,000 teachers, school accreditation, curriculum standards, student attendance and regulatory compliance, the agency serves as the conduit through which more than $2.5 billion flows annually to the 505 public school districts.

More: Joy Hofmeister requests attorney general opinion on school bathroom policies

These districts enroll 700,000 students (a large percentage of those minority), more than 90% of school-age residents, with 60% plus eligible for free or reduced lunches.

The superintendent through chairing the state Board of Education and the state Board of Career and Technology Education (all members of both boards appointed by the governor) is responsible for setting the standards to be followed by the state’s PK-12 and CareerTech districts. Proven ability to lead boards to accomplish important missions is requisite. That person must also be adept at working with legislators of both parties to recommend needed legislation and to provide adequate support for sufficient funds to meet the state constitutional mandate to provide a basic free public education for all students.

Evidence of ability to demonstrate leadership and administrative skills, especially in leading a board and a public school entity, is a desired prerequisite, so how do the candidates match up?

Who are the Oklahoma state superintendent candidates?

The Democratic candidate, Jena Nelson, is a two-decade-long excellent classroom teacher having been selected as the state’s teacher of the year in 2020.

William Crozier, age 76, showed little commitment to competing for the office when he ran in 2006.

At 36, and the youngest, Ryan Walters, is a high school history teacher, CEO of an education reform entity currently enmeshed in a CARES multi-million-dollar distribution controversy, and for the past 20 months Stitt’s appointed secretary of education where he has served primarily as the governor’s megaphone for more money for non-public schools. In the past month, Walters accused the Stillwater School Board and administration of being “woke,” not a positive precursor to a harmonious relationship, should he be elected.

Two candidates, both with education doctoral degrees, April Grace and John Cox, have led school districts as the superintendents at Shawnee (PK-12) and Peggs (PK-8), respectively. Cox ran as a Democrat in both the 2014 and 2018 elections. He and Grace through their long careers as rural district administrators have had many interactions with the state superintendent, and they comprehend the complexity of the position. They realize firsthand the crises in the shortage of teachers, the competing demands of a highly polarized society, and the challenge of attracting residents who will represent the needs of a diverse community to run for local board positions.

What's the Oklahoma superintendent's salary?

Is there any financial incentive for a person to seek the position? In  39 states where the state superintendent is appointed, that person receives 40-125% higher compensation than in the  11 elective states. Oklahoma’s salary of about $125,000 is less than most PK-12 superintendents across the state earn and is less than half of the compensation of urban area superintendents. Grace would earn about two-thirds of her current compensation, Walters’ salary would double, Nelson’s would increase by two and a half times, and Cox would see his income increase substantially over what he is currently receiving.

Every school-age child has the right to attend a public school. Period. Oklahoma needs a state superintendent who is first and foremost an unwavering advocate of the public schools, one whose heart and soul are committed to serving the voiceless, as well as the advantaged. We also need a person who has demonstrated administrative experience and has the desire and maturity to draw us to the common good.

Ken Stern is a retired professor of school leadership at Oklahoma State University and author of  "Oklahoma’s Chief of Public Instruction 1890-2015: The Position, The Politics, and the Public Servants (Superintendents)."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: The Oklahoma state superintendent election champions public schools