OCEANSIDE — A local parental rights advocate has filed a complaint with the state Fair Political Practices Commission, accusing the Oceanside Unified School District of improperly using public funds to promote school board candidates within 60 days of the upcoming election.
Todd Maddison of San Diego Schools claims that a district mailer sent in September violates the Political Reform Act of 1974, which limits the use of taxpayer dollars in political communications.
“The law prohibits school districts from sending mass mailings paid for with tax dollars that name school board members within 60 days of an election,” Maddison said, underscoring his concerns.
According to Maddison, the mailer qualifies as a “prohibited mailing” under FPPC guidelines, though the final determination will come from the commission itself. He anticipates hearing back on the commission’s next steps by mid-to-late October.
The mailer, distributed to households throughout the district, highlights several ongoing taxpayer-funded projects, including modernized school campuses under Propositions H and Measure W and refinanced bonds aimed at saving the district money. It also names all five school board members, including incumbent Trustees Eleanor Evans and Mike Blessing, both of whom are seeking re-election.
Oceanside Unified School District’s Communications Director, Donald Bendz, pushed back against the allegations.
“We don’t believe we are in violation and will await the findings of the complaint,” Bendz stated in an email.
Maddison, however, described the alleged violation as “particularly egregious,” suggesting that it could unfairly benefit board members who approved salary raises for district administrators earlier this year.
A vocal critic of the school board, Maddison has long advocated for greater transparency, more responsible spending, improved state test scores, and increased accountability from district leaders.
