Ethics board clears school in election concern

That's the verdict of the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.

The board recently released its decision regarding a complaint that the school district had illegally used taxpayer dollars for political purposes during the ISL election.

According to a letter from W. Charles Smithson, the director and counsel for the ethics board, the LCS District "produced and distributed materials discussing projects, monetary impacts and other information involved with the vote."

The board reviewed the letter in question from LCS and Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt and decided it did not exhort anyone to vote for the ISL by using words or symbols of "express advocacy," Smithson's letter said.

"It didn't tell people how to vote -- it didn't say "Yes" or "Support this" or "Vote for" -- so it didn't trigger the campaign laws," Smithson said in a phone interview Thursday.

The complaint about the letter came to the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board last fall, Smithson said.

"The Ethics Board commends the individual who raised the complaint for being concerned with the requirements of the campaign laws as well as the school district for ensuring it was in compliance during the election and for its cooperation during this matter," Smithson wrote in his letter.