District 15 dismisses ethics complaint
The Palatine Township Elementary District 15 school board this week dismissed an ethics complaint alleging misuse of funds during the district’s successful $93 million 2022 Moving 15 Forward referendum campaign.
The complaint was submitted to the school district by Americans for Prosperity-Illinois and former District 15 school board candidate Justin Hegy. It raised concerns that a consultant, Beyond Your Base, exceeded its role of providing factual information about the ballot question and advocated for its passage.
According to a 2022 Freedom of Information Act request from Hegy, Beyond Your Base received $35,925 from District 15 for Moving 15 Forward campaign-related costs.
The firm was also paid $5,540 from the political campaign committee “Yes for CCSD15 Referendum” for graphic design, web development and communications, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
The complaint cites referendum materials and an online testimonial from former District 15 Superintendent Laurie Heinz, who credited the firm with playing a critical role in the referendum’s success.
Superintendent Dana Smith explained the district’s position at Wednesday’s meeting, characterizing the complaint as untimely and maintaining the district’s actions during the process were consistent with legal requirements.
A fuller explanation was provided in an email from school board President Samantha Bray Ader stating the district’s actions.
It said the district engaged the consultant to help the district formulate an appropriate ballot proposition and disseminate facts about the proposition after it was formed.
The consultant did not undertake any advocacy-related services under the contract, which specified it would not do, the email said.
After the school board approved putting the question on the ballot in 2022, Beyond Your Base provided assistance to an outside ballot initiative committee outside of its contract with the district, the email stated.
“The District did not pay for or support those efforts,” it stated, adding Heinz’s endorsement of the firm after the fact has no relevance.
Americans for Prosperity-Illinois Deputy State Director Brian Costin said Thursday he had not been contacted about the decision.
“What it says to me is the ethics complaint process is broken,” Costin said. “We’re calling on state’s attorneys and the attorney general to take a more active role on this.”
He added, “We can’t have people be their own judge and jury and entrust them with the fate of determining whether or not they broke the law.”
szalusky@dailyherald.com