OTHELLO — The Public Disclosure Commission has closed a case involving Scootney Springs Elementary School officials and staff.

On Oct. 30, 2019, a complaint was made to the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) alleging that public employees misused public property by allowing campaign signs for candidate Lindsy Prows inside the school building.

The PDC has closed the case, stating that “authorizing the misuse of public facilities to store and distribute yard signs in support of a candidate does not amount to a violation that warrants further investigation.”

Several Scootney Springs Elementary staff members were issued formal written warnings. As part of the warning, staff members involved are being expected to review PDC’s Guidelines for School Districts in Election Campaigns and to prevent this kind of issue from happening again.

There were six staff members who received the written warnings. If further incidents occur, the PDC will take the warnings into consideration.

PDC stated that it finds that further action in this case is unnecessary and closed the case on Jan. 6.

There is still another case open against the Othello School District regarding alleged inappropriate use of the school district board room by an election candidate. That complaint was opened by the PDC on Nov. 25, 2019.

On Dec. 4, 2019, the lawyer for the Othello School District submitted a letter on behalf of the district and denied the allegations. The PDC has yet to make a ruling in this case.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at [email protected].