The Frisco ISD Board of Trustees will hold an emergency meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Frisco ISD Administration Building to discuss and act on a response to a recent lawsuit by the Office of the Texas Attorney General, which alleges that FISD violated election law in recent social media posts.
During the meeting, board members will discuss the ongoing litigation matters in consultation with counsel. The board is also expected to act on the settlement offer presented to Frisco ISD by the Office of the Texas Attorney General in connection with ongoing litigation.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the lawsuit on Feb. 28, 2024, against the district, accusing it of engaging in improper electioneering. The lawsuit claims that the district misused official resources to influence public opinion in favor of a particular policy.
The legal documents list Superintendent Mike Waldrip, Government Affairs Chairperson Megan DeWolfe and board members Dynette Davis, Gopal Ponangi, Rene Archambault, Marvin Lowe, Stephanie Elad, Mark Hill and John Classe as defendants.
In one case, Paxton asserts that DeWolfe utilized public funds from the district, including those allocated for her salary, as well as resources for operating the Frisco ISD Government Affairs Facebook page and/or email systems, for the creation and dissemination of political advertising.
“Frisco ISD does not comment on pending litigation,” Frisco ISD previously told Local Profile when asked about the lawsuit.
However, the Frisco ISD isn't the only district facing legal action from the attorney general. Paxton has also filed a lawsuit against Denton ISD for purportedly engaging in unlawful electioneering through district emails. The Attorney General's Office is currently investigating other potential violations across the state.
Although the Office of the Texas Attorney General cannot pursue criminal prosecution for election code violations due to the Texas v. Stephens ruling by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the attorney general has the authority to pursue civil injunctive relief. This enables the office to obtain court orders that prohibit school districts from participating in illegal election influence.
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