Pasco School District issues statement, pledges to comply with law after election violation
Pasco’s school superintendent said she was acting within her position and the district didn’t believe it was violating any election rules when it circulated two survey questions in 2011 and 2012 that were later found to be prohibited by state officials.
The district fully cooperated with an investigation from the state’s Public Disclosure Commission, according to a Tuesday news release. Superintendent Saundra Hill admitted to violations regarding the two survey questions in documents filed Friday with the commission. The district paid a $100 fine and avoided a scheduled Tuesday hearing on the violations.
The questions were: “When would you recommend the board run another bond to request voter approval (requires 60 percent) to build new schools?” in 2011 and “The April 2011 bond election failed. Would you be willing to support a revised bond election that would cost substantially less?” in 2012.
The 2012 question also was cited in the complaint filed by Roger Lenk of west Pasco after voters approved a $46.8 million bond in February 2013.
Commission investigators found the questions were at least partially intended to promote the $46.8 million bond later approved by voters. By law, public employees cannot campaign for a bond or levy while on duty. Public facilities and resources also cannot be used. District officials are, however, allowed to provide information about a ballot measure and how the district would be affected if it passes or fails.
Hill said in the release that the district believed it was within PDC guidelines as there were no pending elections when the questions were asked.
“While the district may disagree with the findings about the two survey questions, it is time to move on — now up to five years later,” Hill said. “The district will continue to comply with the law and PDC guidelines.”
This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Pasco School District issues statement, pledges to comply with law after election violation."