School Board Member Warned for Sending Unlawful Letters

A state commission confirmed Tuesday that it had sent a warning letter to the Orange Unified School District after a board member’s illegal mailing of more than 17,000 self-promotional letters.

The Dec. 7 mailing by board Vice President Linda Davis was paid for with district funds, violating the Political Reform Act, said John Symkowick, a spokesman for the Sacramento-based Fair Political Practices Commission.

The Political Reform Act prohibits public agencies from sending mass mailings aggrandizing elected officials, said Symkowick, who added that the commission concluded its investigation into the matter last week.

“The district has had no prior violations,” Symkowick said, “so there is no next step. If another violation comes up, it could lead to an aggravating circumstance” drawing a fine of up to $5,000.

The FPPC’s investigation was prompted by a complaint last year from the Orange Recall Committee, which is attempting to unseat Davis and two other board members.

Committee members couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.

Davis also could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Earlier, however, she had defended the mailing--which detailed “major accomplishments that I am most proud of” and was sent to parents across the district at a cost of $4,229--as a necessary attempt to “communicate with the community” in response to “propaganda circulated by the recall committee.”

The recall campaign began last August, spearheaded by parents and teachers who believe Davis and two other board members are mismanaging the district, which has been racked with conflict and labor disputes in recent years.