The Wyoming school district based in Rock Springs apologized Saturday for a message a staffer sent through a school communications app to some parents and kids, asking for help with a gubernatorial candidate’s efforts.
A Sweetwater County School District No. 1 teacher dispatched the message June 25. The text indicates it was sent to parents and students in the Rock Springs High School Academy of Public Service (APS). That “academy” is a specific course plan from sophomore to senior year that focuses on career opportunities in law, fire and military.
“Hi All,” begins the message high school teacher Lyndsey James sent via school communications app ParentSquare. “Susie Von Ahrens is looking for volunteers to walk in the parade on Saturday for the Eric Barlow campaign. If you would like to walk in the parade and hand out campaign materials please contact Ms. Ahrens.”
The message concludes with Von Ahren’s cellphone number, and well wishes from James.
Former state House Speaker and now-Sen. Eric Barlow is running for the Republican primary nomination for governor against Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, retired Marine Col. Brent Bien, and Curt Blake of Centennial. Kenneth Casner of Elk Mountain is running for the Democratic nomination.
Rebecca Bextel, a new convert to the Wyoming Constitution Party, received that minor party’s nomination at its convention earlier this month and will challenge the winners of the GOP and Democratic Party primary elections, which are Aug. 18.
The district apologized publicly Saturday for the ParentSquare message’s political nature.
“The communication in question shared a volunteer opportunity that was associated with a specific political candidate. We recognize that this was an error, and we sincerely apologize to our community and families,” says the district’s statement.
“The intent behind the message was to share what appeared to be a community volunteer opportunity, not to endorse or promote any political candidate or party," the statement says. "Unfortunately, the association with a single candidate’s campaign was not identified prior to distribution, and the message should not have been sent in the manner it was. Had this opportunity been shared at all, it should have been extended equally to all candidates and all parties in the spirit of civic engagement.”
Interviews And Disclaimers
Von Ahrens, contacted Monday by Cowboy State Daily, referred the outlet to Barlow’s campaign communications director Rebecca Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald said in a Monday phone interview that Von Ahrens is a “county chair” for Barlow’s Sweetwater County campaign efforts, and that she’s a volunteer, not a paid staffer.
The Barlow campaign never directed the use of the public school app, Fitzgerald said.
The message referenced the Flaming Gorge Days parade held Saturday in Green River.
“Susie reached out to Sweetwater County schools just letting them know that Senator Barlow’s team was going to have a float, and also generally candidates were going to be around in the parade, if people would want to participate,” Fitzgerald said. “We certainly don’t encourage people to be using school resources.”
Fitzgerald said Von Ahrens is not a school employee; and James is not affiliated with the Barlow campaign.
“We’ve reiterated to our team that even in well-intentioned communications with folks … (make) sure you’re making the appropriate asks, to the appropriate people,” Fitzgerald added.
James declined Monday to comment, referring Cowboy State Daily to the district’s human resources department.
Headlines, Headlines
Sweetwater County School District has made statewide headlines more than any other Wyoming school district this year.
News and reports of issues within the district prompted Degenfelder to launch a state investigation into its special education division, and that revealed major special ed failures, according to Degenfelder’s office.
On the other hand, a staffer in Degenfelder’s office was reportedly involved in the release of unredacted student information upon a public-records request – an incident for which Degenfelder apologized in April.
