State Superintendent Candidate Removes Campaign Videos After School Complaint

James Taylor

State Superintendent Candidate Removes Campaign Videos After School Complaint

A Republican candidate for Oklahoma State Superintendent has removed campaign videos from social media after Little Axe Public Schools determined school resources were improperly used to create campaign content.

James Taylor, a history teacher at Little Axe Public Schools and a Republican candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, acknowledged the issue after school officials said a district classroom was used to film campaign promotional videos without administrative approval. The district requested the content be removed, and Taylor says he immediately complied while accepting responsibility for the situation.

State Superintendent Candidate Used School Classroom For Campaign Videos

According to Little Axe Public Schools, Superintendent Dr. Jay Thomas learned campaign videos had been recorded inside a district classroom and later posted on social media.

In a public statement, Thomas said the school administration had no prior knowledge of the filming and had not granted permission for district facilities to be used for campaign purposes.

The district also cited guidance from the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, which states that campaign activities by school employees should occur on personal time and away from school property to avoid the appearance that public resources are being used for political purposes.

Following the superintendent's request, the campaign videos were removed from Taylor's official social media accounts.

School District Says It Does Not Endorse Candidates

In its public statement, Little Axe Public Schools emphasized that the district does not endorse political candidates, including employees seeking elected office.

District leaders said the policy exists to ensure taxpayer-funded facilities and resources remain separate from political campaigns and maintain public confidence in Oklahoma's public education system.

Taylor later issued his own statement, saying he accepted full responsibility for the incident.

He said there was never any intention to misuse school resources and that he instructed his campaign staff to remove the videos immediately after receiving the superintendent's email.

Taylor also stated that he considers the matter resolved following the removal of the campaign materials.

Campaign Issue Resolved, Election Continues

The incident comes as candidates continue campaigning ahead of Oklahoma's election for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, one of the state's highest-profile education offices.

While the district determined the classroom should not have been used for campaign purposes, officials have not announced any additional disciplinary action beyond requesting the videos be removed.

The situation also serves as a reminder that Oklahoma school districts maintain policies governing political activity by employees while on duty or using public facilities. Those policies are intended to protect taxpayer resources and ensure schools remain neutral during election campaigns, regardless of the office being sought or the political party involved.

With the campaign videos now removed, both Little Axe Public Schools and Taylor have indicated they consider the matter resolved as the statewide election campaign moves forward.

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