Oklahoma school district under scrutiny for elementary principal who moonlights as a drag queen

The Oklahoma State Department of Education is investigating a school district “based on concerns over the district’s hiring practices as well as the use of taxpayer money on drag queens.”

On Tuesday, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters declared the investigation into Western Heights Public Schools and its elementary school principal, Shane Murnan.

“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,” Walters said, according to local media. “It is simply unacceptable.”

“Mr. Murnan has been clear that he is ‘very open’ about his alter ego and has shared it not only publicly available on social media but has performed in public libraries under a very thin veil of would-be anonymity,” Walters continued. “These are not the actions of a school leader concerned about the well-being of children.” 

The OSDE is considering revoking Murnan’s teaching certificate “due to commission of an act of moral turpitude.” 

At a Sept. 11 school board meeting, parents, teachers and community members voiced their opinions about Murnan’s drag gig. 

Some parents raised objections, questioning both the renewal of his teaching certification in April and his subsequent hiring in June. 

“I no longer feel comfortable sending my children to class and have decided to keep them home,” one parent said, according to local media  

“You’re trying to infest our school with this ideology,” another said. “When you take the children into account, we’re on a whole different level.”  

In 2001, Murnan was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation found four explicit photos on Murnan’s computer, reported OCPA.  

According to the warrant, the police had been notified by two individuals, one who said the teacher had made “concerning comments about two 10-year-old boys.”  

At the time, Murnan was a fifth-grade teacher, revealed The Oklahoman.  

During the preliminary hearing, a judge dismissed the charges, citing a lack of probable cause to prove that the images depicted minors.  

The district confirmed it knew about Murnan’s past before he was hired. 

“This evening, the Board of Education approved the hiring of Dr. Shane Murnan for the Head Principal position at John Glenn Elementary. Recently, the district has been made aware of previous charges that were dismissed more than 20 years ago,” Western Heights Public Schools stated in June. “Dr. Murnan has been serving the field of education for more than 25 years and has an outstanding reputation. He comes highly recommended from previous supervisors, colleagues, and educators.  

Walters is calling for Murnan to be immediately fired and is looking to make changes in school hiring practices. 

“When confronted with these facts, the Western heights school board failed to act to follow the law and protect our kids,” Walters said. “When woke school board members won’t protect our kids from radical gender theory, I will.”