State superintendent, considered Oklahoma’s chief of public schools, leads the state Department of Education and the state Board of Education. Robert Franklin files to run as a Republican candidate for state superintendent on April 1 at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. “This particular position (of state superintendent) probably calls for the least amount of political ideation in that role.” He said he has a calmer temperament than the former state superintendent, whom he criticized for resorting to “name calling.” State Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during a meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Sept. 25 in Oklahoma City.