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Former Upvalley trustee's conflict charges rejected
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CommentOctober 31st, 2009
October 26th, 2009
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For the second time, the California Fair Political Practices Commission recently rejected a complaint by former St. Helena Unified School District Trustee Jim Haslip alleging misconduct by former Superintendent Allan Gordon.
In an Aug. 25 letter, FPPC Executive Director Roman Porter informed Haslip that the FPPC “has closed its file” on Haslip’s allegation that Gordon acted with a conflict of interest when he made a retirement plan available to administrators, and then took the package himself when he retired.
In an Aug. 25 letter, FPPC Executive Director Roman Porter informed Haslip that the FPPC “has closed its file” on Haslip’s allegation that Gordon acted with a conflict of interest when he made a retirement plan available to administrators, and then took the package himself when he retired.
“After review of your complaint, the Commission has found no violation of the (Political Reform) Act,” said Porter. “Under the Act, a public official may participate in a decision when the salary or benefits in question are for all of the government agency’s employees who are in the same job classification or position.”
The FPPC’s letter came in response to a complaint Haslip filed on Aug. 14. The FPPC rejected his previous complaint on a technicality.
The FPPC’s letter came in response to a complaint Haslip filed on Aug. 14. The FPPC rejected his previous complaint on a technicality.
Gordon could not be reached for comment.
Haslip said he’s now satisfied that, as far as the law is concerned, Gordon did nothing wrong.
Haslip said he’s now satisfied that, as far as the law is concerned, Gordon did nothing wrong.
“It was just my lack of knowledge about the PARS program and that particular set of government codes,” said Haslip, who resigned in May amid controversy over the PARS retirement plan.
The board’s June 29 special meeting, where trustees took a number of actions to retroactively ratify the retirement packages, “takes away any remaining question about legality for me,” he said. “But others may choose to look at it differently.”
The board’s June 29 special meeting, where trustees took a number of actions to retroactively ratify the retirement packages, “takes away any remaining question about legality for me,” he said. “But others may choose to look at it differently.”
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NOLMA wrote on Sep 6, 2009 10:33 AM:
The FPPC has the ability to decide whether there was a violation under Section 87100 of the Government Code, but it cannot determine whether there was a violation under Section 1090 of the Government Code. (These government code sections have some similarities, but also some differences.) The parents that raised questions about this retirement plan questioned whether it was proper under Section 1090, not whether it was proper under Section 87100. The St. Helena School Board has indicated that they believe that there has been no violation, but they have not explained why nor have they provided any back up authority. If the School Board really wants to make things right in St. Helena, then they could start by taking the concerns of parents seriously and responding to their questions.
It is also worth noting that the DA is investigating this matter, but, like the FPPC, the DA can only consider certain aspects of it. The DA can only decide whether or not to bring criminal charges against the former superintendent, it cannot decide whether or not the decision to award this retirement package was proper.
We realize that St. Helena has many resources that the other districts in our Valley don't have and we are extremely grateful for this. This does not, however, make it OK for the School Board to give so much money to two men, and then cut programs for the kids. "