Republican Mike Mazzei says school board candidates should disclose whether they are Republicans or Democrats so voters can understand their political outlook. He also wants the elections moved from February and March to November, when turnout is typically higher because of major statewide and national races.

“Parents know the worldview of these folks that want to lead our local schools,” Mazzei said of party labels. He described current election dates as “bizarre” and argued that low turnout limits conservative parents’ influence over school leadership.

Mazzei also pointed to Oklahoma’s education performance, saying the state ranks 49th and that 27% of eighth graders can read. Those figures were part of his argument for greater voter engagement and accountability in school board elections.

Democrat Cyndi Munson opposes moving school board elections to the general-election ballot, saying the contests should remain nonpartisan. She said the former superintendent’s focus on politics was among the reasons the state continued to perform poorly in education, describing Oklahoma as 50th nationally in public education.

Munson said local board candidates should prioritize improving public schools and responding to the needs and resources of their communities. She argued that politicizing school governance could distract from students and families.

The disagreement comes as Oklahoma voters prepare to choose a governor on Nov. 3. Mazzei, Munson and three independent candidates are on the ballot. Any changes to school board election dates or party-label requirements would require action beyond the candidates’ stated positions; neither proposal is described as enacted.