Parents call latest email from Supt. Walters a campaign push

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Several Oklahomans received an email Wednesday from State School Superintendent Ryan Walters that they said they didn't ask for.

"It doesn't feel like any of this (the email) is for the benefit of our children," said Satyra Mahaffey.

Mahaffey is one of many parents who chose to talk to News 4 after receiving the email, all of whom were concerned because they didn't sign up for any email list from the superintendent.

The email was sent out after 3 p.m. Wednesday, and it listed what Walters has done while superintendent of Oklahoma's education. The email that was sent out was SuptRyanWalters@publi.govdelivery.com, not the agency's main email.

Some said that they'd never given out their personal email address, but somehow it went to their inbox.

"The email is full of politically vetted words. It looks like a PR (Public Relations) Firm had their hands all over it," said Erin Brewer with the Oklahoma Parents Legislative Action Committee.

She said several of her constituents, who were concerned that their personal information was out there being shared, reached out to her.

News 4 contacted several superintendents who said that they did not send out a list and were not asked by the state for an email list recently.

"I know I didn't send my email to Superintendent Walters," said Mahaffey.

"It's not that the state superintendent is communicating with parents, it's that given everything we've seen like how he's tried to send out a video with a prayer and all of the other things. Given all of this, it looks like he's trying to overreach," said Mariana Lopez De Castilla.

Lopez De Castilla has two kids; one is in an Oklahoma public school, and the other is in private.

"It just seems like an odd moment for him to be this transparent. It doesn't feel like it's him being transparent, it feels like he's trying to tell you what to think," said Lopez De Castilla.

The email lists out several stories from over the last year, like the teacher signing bonus which was riddled with issues from the start.

The email also lists the nearly $60 million from the Comprehensive Literacy Grant, funding that's from the U.S. Department of Education. An agency that Superintendent Walters has supported getting rid of.

"You're going to start seeing a lot of posturing going into this next year," said Representative Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City).

Dollens said several of his constituents reached out to him about their concern surrounding the email chain.

The upcoming year, he said, will see many politicians and others trying their best to be seen as potential candidates for Oklahoma's next governor.

"There's a fine line, though, between constituent updates and campaigning, and those who are elected need to know the difference," said Representative Dollens.

Brewer also brought up the concern that the email was part of a potential campaign effort from the superintendent. She also has kids in the public school system and said she was shocked when she saw the email in her inbox.

"It popped up in my inbox and I was surprised because it was a little weird," said Brewer. "The first thing I thought was, is this even legal, and how do they have my email address?"

There is also concern due to a grand jury report last year that detailed how Superintendent Walters, when he was in collaboration with Class Wallet, failed to protect the personal information of applicant families.

"It's very concerning how this is ending up in parents and those without kid's inboxes and spam boxes when they did not sign up for it," said Rep. Dollens.

Earlier last year Governor Kevin Stitt signed an executive order essentially banning state agencies from entering into contracts with public relations vendors.

"This is a clear act of campaigning," said Brewer. "Where he's using his office and our tax dollars to put his name in front of thousands of people. He's flirting with the boundaries of what is legal and what is not."

News 4 reached out to an OSDE spokesperson Thursday, and as of this article, hasn't heard back. News 4 also put in an open record request to find out if an outside PR firm has been hired, or what list is connected to that email.

Many other parents who didn't want to go on camera Thursday voiced concern and frustration surrounding the email.