November 2022
Oceanside, California – Carlsbad Unified School District Trustee Kathy Rallings is currently under investigation by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for failing to disclose her teachers’ union income in her campaign filing forms earlier this year. Todd Maddison, a founding member of parent advocacy group San Diego Schools, filed a complaint with FPPC outlining how Trustee Rallings was required to disclose her income from the California Teachers Association (CTA) as a potential financial conflict of interest when she filed for re-election in July.
Complaint 2022-00741 was filed on September 22nd, 2022, and details this lack of disclosure. Trustee Rallings retained an attorney to attempt to have the Complaint dismissed prior to the FPPC initiating an investigation, but this effort failed. On October 19, 2022, the FPPC reported that the allegations have merit and will be fully investigated by the FPPC, which includes the possibility for issuing subpoenas and interviewing witnesses.
Ms. Rallings failed to list her employment and income from the CTA, which conducts business with the Carlsbad Unified School District through its local affiliate, the Carlsbad Unified Teachers Association (CUTA). The CTA also provides advice and services to CUTA via CTA Regional Staff, of which Trustee Rallings is a member. Knowledge of that is essential for voters to make an informed decision in the upcoming election. This employment presents a direct conflict of interest with her obligation to represent community members, parents and children, given her position as a CUSD Trustee allows her to vote on approval of labor agreements that may provide direct benefit to her employer.
San Diego Schools believes in “Transparency and Accountability in Education”, including in our school board representatives.
Update June 2024
On May 24th, 2024 the FPPC determined “You violated the Act by failing to report income on your 2020 and 2021 Annual SEI for your position at the California Teachers Association.“
A Warning Letter was issued, a copy of that is available here, however no penalties were assessed.
Updated July 2024
Subsequent to the Warning Letter issued above, an appeal was made pointing out various inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the original finding. That resulted in a revision to the original warning letter. There were no significant changes, however some of the inaccuracies were addressed. A copy of the revised letter is here.
For more information go to http://sandiegoschools.net