Judge Dismisses Claim in School Bond Suit

A Ventura County Superior Court judge on Tuesday dismissed the central allegation in a lawsuit by the local Libertarian Party, which claimed the Ventura Unified School District illegally spent taxpayer money to promote an $81-million bond measure.

Judge David W. Long ruled that a contract between the school district and consultant Dale Scott & Co. was valid. The Libertarian Party’s attorney, Robert Chatenever, had argued in the suit that although the contract was technically for bond underwriting services, the real service provided was political advice on how to get the school bond passed.

Attorneys for Scott and the school district strongly rebutted that allegation, saying the political advice the consultant provided--including a detailed “Measure M Campaign Manual”--was strictly voluntary and not part of the bond services deal.

Long said Tuesday that he did not see any evidence to the contrary, and granted the motion for summary judgment. However, the lawsuit continues, because the Libertarian Party is also arguing, among other things, that Ventura Unified illegally spent taxpayer money on voter registration materials and what it sees as partisan banners.

Nevertheless, Donald Austin, general counsel for Ventura Unified, said school officials were happy to have the brunt of the suit behind them.

“Ultimately, we thought this would take place, but not on summary judgment,” Austin said. “I would call it the cornerstone of their case.”

Chatenever could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.