An investigation by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office into alleged illegal activities and employee intimidation at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School has concluded there was no wrongdoing by the district administration or district employees.

In a May 12 letter to district Superintendent Fred Van Leuven, Senior Deputy District Attorney Allan Kaplan wrote that a review of the allegations “found no evidence of any unlawful activity on the part of your staff or other employees.” He added that the matter is considered closed and thanked Van Leuven for his cooperation.

The probe was prompted by a complaint alleging intimidation of the district's classified employees, at the behest of the district administration during school hours, to sign a letter in support of the school board and against the recall of all five of its members.

An internal investigation two months ago by district Business Manager Ray Kirchmaier determined that classified (non-teaching) employees had been surveyed by their own employee group representatives during lunch and other breaks about their possible support of a letter to the editor on behalf of the employees' union.

Van Leuven said union activity during paid break time was stopped, because union discussions are not allowed during work time and paid time. They are allowed, however, before school, after school and at lunch time.

The allegation was made public by Bruce Porter of Reformation of Santa Ynez High (RoSY), the committee pushing for the recall of the SYVUHS District Board of Education, at the board's April 15 meeting, and RoSY issued a press release the following day.

Porter said classified employees reached out to RoSY because they were afraid to complain directly to the school board or administration because of fear of losing their jobs. He added that the source of the allegation was “absolutely credible” and the details were specific.

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Reached for comment Thursday, Van Leuven blamed Porter for giving the DA's office the names of the 12 classified employees who were contacted during the investigation.

“We knew the allegations were false. It is indeed a shame that both our district's reputation and several of our classified staff members had to endure the unfounded pubic accusations based on one community member,” Van Leuven wrote in an e-mail.

In response, Porter said he still believes what employees told him is true and he was disappointed that Van Leuven's statement was personal against him, because the recall group has tried to focus their efforts on principles and policy rather than individuals.

May 16, 2008