OKLAHOMA CITY — Governor Kevin Stitt faces a deadline this week to approve legislation aimed at curbing spending by Oklahoma’s state superintendent on personal public relations efforts. As the decision looms, a deeper investigation by TLNA into the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) reveals concerning details about its ties to DC-based firm Vought Strategies.

Controversial Spending Uncovered

TLNA’s investigation, in collaboration with Oklahoma Watch, uncovered documents through Open Records Requests shedding light on a $30,000 contract between OSDE and Vought Strategies. This contract, intended to boost Superintendent Ryan Walters’ appearances on national media, has raised eyebrows for its execution and undisclosed expenditures.

Early Engagements and Growing Costs

Emails obtained by TLNA indicate that engagements with Vought Strategies began informally months before the official contract signing in March. Payments totaling $5,000 monthly, just below the threshold requiring a formal contract, were initiated as early as last summer. These expenditures were not transparently disclosed to the public or fully accounted for until recent scrutiny.

Lack of Transparency and Accountability

Questions about transparency mounted when Superintendent Walters evaded inquiries regarding the nature of his media management plans during a public forum in November 2023. The subsequent revelations suggest a lack of clarity in financial dealings, with emails indicating discussions and agreements occurring outside official channels.

Political and Financial Entanglements

Further complicating matters, TLNA’s investigation revealed that OSDE Chief Advisor Matt Langston’s communications regarding Vought Strategies bypassed state channels, instead using his political consulting firm’s infrastructure. Langston now faces an investigation amid allegations of being a ‘ghost employee,’ drawing a substantial salary from Oklahoma while potentially conflicted in his roles.

Expanding Financial Impact

TLNA’s probe found that the total spending on out-of-state PR firms contracted by OSDE exceeds $100,000, including expenditures with Precision Outreach for media content. With contracts set to expire imminently, the governor’s decision on SB 1122, which addresses budgetary controls, will influence future expenditures on similar services.

Conclusion: Accountability and Fiscal Oversight

The revelations surrounding OSDE’s expenditures highlight critical concerns about transparency and fiscal responsibility in Oklahoma’s educational administration. As Governor Stitt weighs legislative and executive actions to address these issues, the public calls for greater accountability in the use of taxpayer funds remain paramount.

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