TULSA COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) – A hearing was held Tuesday on a defamation lawsuit filed by Bixby Public School Superintendent Rob Miller.

The lawsuit comes after State Superintendent Ryan Walters called Supt. Miller a “liar” and “clown.”

ORIGINAL STORY: Bixby Public Schools superintendent files defamation lawsuit against Ryan Walters

These statements were made by Supt. Walters at a July 31 meeting in response to a reporter’s question about Supt. Miller’s request for an estimate for Title I funding.

According to the lawsuit, Supt. Miller asked Supt. Walters when Oklahoma school districts were expected to receive estimates of how much they would receive in Title I funding back in July.

Court filing details: Supt. Walters is seeking immunity for his statements under the Oklahoma Government Tort Claims Act (GTCA).

The document says Supt. Walters “conducted himself well within the scope of his employment when responding to questions about a subordinate’s public allegations that he mismanaged federal public school funds.”

UPDATE: OSDE sends corrected Title I allocations to schools

On Tuesday, a Tulsa County judge heard arguments from attorneys for both Supt. Walters and Supt. Mueller.

Supt. Miller claims Supt. Walters defamed him and painted his character in a bad light.

Supt. Walters’ defense argues that Walters cannot be sued under state law for statements he made while carrying out his duties as a state commissioner.

A judge has 30 days to decide whether to continue the lawsuit and potentially go to trial or whether to dismiss it.

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