In a Wednesday press conference, Stitt told reporters Walters’ proposed administrative rule to count undocumented students and families was one of the reasons behind the ousting. The board voted to send the administrative rules to the legislature at its last board meeting, but remaining board members Zach Archer and Sarah Lepak were not present.

Oklahoma's attorney general offered an opinion one day after the governor replaced three State Board of Education members. Gentner Drummond said checks and balances were long overdue within the Oklahoma State Department of Education.