Seattle School District: Alleged violation of RCW 42.17A.555 by using public facilities to promote a ballot proposition. (Jan 19)

Case

#45913

Respondent

Seattle School District

Complainant

James Brewer

Description

A complaint was filed against officials of the Seattle School District (SSD) alleging violations of RCW 42.17A.555 by using school district facilities to produce and distribute information that supported two SSD levy measures, Proposition #1, the Educational Program and Operations (EP&O) levy, and Proposition #2, the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital levy, both of which appeared on the February 12, 2019 special election ballot.

Staff's review found that SSD officials produced and distributed information about Proposition #1 and #2 for the February 12, 2019 special election, and that information was communicated in the district’s normal and regular manner. Staff found that the majority of the information reviewed was a fair and objective presentation of the facts, however there was information that contained statements of opinion rather than facts or were not completely objective concerning the two levies.

PDC staff has determined the facts in this instance do not warrant further investigation. However, PDC staff reminded officials of the Seattle School District concerning the importance of communicating factual and objective bond and levy election information to all citizens of the district, without including potential statements of opinions, as required by PDC laws, rules and PDC Interpretation #01-03.

Based on this information, the PDC has dismissed the complaint in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1).

Disposition

Case Closed with Reminder

Date Opened

January 25, 2019

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.555