Oceanside, California – A complaint has been filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requesting investigation of a violation of the Political Reform Act of 1974, Sections 89001 – 89003 concerning the prohibition against spending public funds to promote school board candidates within 60 days of an election.
This law prohibits school districts from sending mass mailings paid for with tax dollars that names school board members within 60 days of an election. A mailer sent by Oceanside Unified in September violates this law, qualifying as a “prohibited mailing” per criteria outlined by the FPPC.
This violation is particularly egregious given it benefits board members running for re-election who recently approved large raises for District administrators in March 2024.
Oceanside Unified is one of the largest school districts in San Diego County, responsible for educating 14,000 kids with an annual budget of about $270 million. According to the most recent state testing, 41% of those kids were judged proficient in English, and only 29% proficient in Math.
Despite academic performance at near-record lows, Oceanside Unified felt it vital to spend what was likely tens of thousands of dollars on a public relations piece ostensibly to inform the public of how bond money is being spent, despite the fact there are no bond issues on the ballot this year.
During a time when many districts are facing future financial difficulties driven by weakened state tax revenue and declining enrollment, this blatant mis-use of education funding to help elect board members demands the FPPC step in to take action against the District.
San Diego Schools believes in “Transparency, Accountability, and Equity” in education. For more information go to http://sandiegoschools.net
