Western Heights accreditation in limbo after controversy over drag queen principal

William C. Wertz, The Oklahoman
·2 min read
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Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. On Tuesday, Walters said his department was launching an investigation into the "unacceptable" appointment of a "drag queen" as a school principal.
Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. On Tuesday, Walters said his department was launching an investigation into the "unacceptable" appointment of a "drag queen" as a school principal.

Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters said Tuesday his department would reopen the accreditation status of the Western Heights school district over concerns about its hiring practices and use of taxpayer money. This comes a month after it was revealed that a principal in the district performs as a drag queen.

“I have heard from parents in Western Heights and throughout Oklahoma who are deeply concerned about the message being sent by a district who would put a drag queen in charge of one of our schools. It is simply unacceptable," Walters said.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education said it would also be reviewing the teaching certificate of the John Glenn Elementary School principal, Shane Murnan.

The state board's regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, but it was not immediately known whether the Western Heights investigation would be on the agenda.

Western Heights school district followed regular hiring practices, leaders say

In a statement following Walters' announcement, the Western Heights school district in metro Oklahoma City said Murnan had been hired in accordance with its usual screening practices.

"For Dr. Murnan, this included a felony criminal background check and a verification of his teaching certificate, which was renewed in April 2023 and signed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters," it said.

"We are confident that the District is operating within the realm of the law ... (and we are) committed to working in collaboration with OSDE as they conduct their investigation," the statement added.

Walters' office did not respond to a question as to whether any other teachers or administrators were under investigation.

More: Controversy over principal, drag shows pulls Oklahoma district into national spotlight

Murnan's employment as a school principal generated national attention after the conservative social media account Libs of TikTok made a post identifying him as a drag queen. He performs under the drag name “Shantel Mandalay.”

Murnan was hired by Western Heights in June after working in the Oklahoma City School District since 2015.

Walters and some media also cited a 2001 charge of child pornography possession against Murnan, who was a fifth-grade teacher in Stillwater at the time. A judge dismissed the case, and the charge was expunged from his record.

Murnan said in an interview with NonDoc published earlier in September that the dismissed charges were related to a “bias against gay educators.”

Western Heights had said it was aware of the previous charges but said Murnan was highly qualified and had an outstanding reputation.

"He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Masters of Education in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration," it added. "We welcome Dr. Murnan to Western Heights, and we are very excited about his vision for John Glenn and the community."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: State to investigate after Oklahoma drag queen principal controversy