Oklahoma Schools superintendent appoints ‘Libs of TikTok’ creator to media committee

(The Center Square) – Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Tuesday that he had appointed the creator of a social media account known for its outspoken criticism of sexualized materials in school libraries to an advisory board that will govern them.

Walters announced Chaya Raichik, who created and operates an account on X, formerly Twitter, called “Libs of TikTok,” would be on the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Library Media Advisory Committee.

“Chaya Raichik and I have developed a strong working relationship to rid schools of liberal, woke indoctrinators, union smut peddlers, and Epstein Island advocates,” Walters told Chalkboard News in a statement. “Oklahoma is ground zero to take back our schools from the radical leftists. I am proud to have her as a fierce defender of conservative values.”

The Library Media Advisory Committee offers guidance and recommendations to the Oklahoma State Board of Education pursuant to Oklahoma Administrative Codes and is “aimed at removing pornographic or sexualized content from public schools in the State of Oklahoma,” according to a spokesperson from the Department of Education.

The committee is comprised of volunteer parents, current and retired librarians and English teachers who have been appointed by Walters, according to the spokesperson. 

At time of publication, there was no publicly available information about the committee. 

In his announcement letter on X, Walter said Raichik would work against “indoctrination” from the “radical left.”

“Chaya is on the front lines showing the world exactly what the radical left is all about — lowering standards, porn in schools and pushing woke indoctrination on our kids,” Walters said in a statement posted on X. “Because of her work, families across the country know just what is going on in schools around the country.”

“Her unique perspective is invaluable as part of my plan to make Oklahoma schools safer for kids and friendly to parents,” Walters added. “Chaya has a much-needed and powerful voice as well as a tremendous platform that will benefit Oklahoma students and their families.”

The account, Libs of TikTok, posted on Tuesday that “the groomers are fuming that we’re gonna remove [porn] from Oklahoma schools.”

That post also said some want to “ensure your kids have access to graphics” of specific sex acts and included screenshots from books that have been removed from libraries or caused controversy for their illustrations or depictions.

The account has been vocally critical of allowing students access to materials that contain mature or explicit content, sometimes causing firestorms online and in real life. After Libs of TikTok exposed a school librarian last year, the school received bomb threats, according to the New York Post. 

Critics, including state Rep. Mickey Dollens, a Democrat, argued Raichik is not qualified and that the appointment is politically motivated. 

“Why would Superintendent Walters appoint a social media influencer to the state’s Library Media Advisory Committee? What are her qualifications?” Dollens asked on X Tuesday.

Dollens wrote in the post that Raichik is not a librarian, has no education background and does not live in the state. 

“We cannot overlook why Superintendent Walters made this controversial appointment,” Dollens posted. “Just last week, it was reported that Walters used taxpayer dollars to expense his travel to promote himself and attend media appearances, speaking engagements, and a horror movie premiere, despite an order from the Governor’s office banning public spending for most out-of-state travel.”

Reporting from The Frontier, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit publication, showed Walters submitted over $4,000 in out-of-state travel expenses for reimbursement despite a prohibition by the governor for such spending.