Voters in USD 308 in Hutchinson head to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of a $110 million bond issue to fund a new middle school, upgrades to the six elementary schools in the district, and a centralized early childhood center. A 1993 opinion of the attorney general of Kansas reads that school districts are allowed to use school funds for informational purposes in a bond issue campaign, but not to promote its passage, But an opponent of the measure is claiming the district is going beyond the parameters set by the opinion.
Allison Reed is Treasurer of the “Stop the Bond – Hutchinson” organization in the Reno County community:
“We are discovering that USD 308 is spending taxpayer money to influence their bond election. They have used taxpayer money to print and send mailers, create videos, print yard signs, and social media graphics. All of these are being used by the district and by the Vote Yes campaign. They are even using the yard signs produced at taxpayer expense to raise money for their Vote Yes campaign. They claim they are doing this lawfully based on an AG opinion but won’t provide a copy of it.”
Reed provided The Sentinel a copy of the opinion received by State Representative Paul Waggoner, written by Attorney General Robert Stephan in 1993.
Deputy Solicitor General Dwight Carswell summarizes the opinion in an email to Representative Waggoner:
“Attorney General Opinion 93-125 discusses the public purpose doctrine and concludes that public funds may be used to educate and inform the electorate, but may not be used to promote or advocate a governing body’s position on the matter. A copy of the opinion can be found here: https://ksag.washburnlaw.edu/opinions/1993/1993-125.htm. The opinion refers back to Attorney General Opinion 93-33, which is located here: https://ksag.washburnlaw.edu/opinions/1993/1993-033.htm.”
Reed provided The Sentinel with pictures taken of the signs reading: “I Support Hutch Kids – USD 308 Bond” on school property:
We asked Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson to comment on Reed’s allegations. She did not respond.
