Group Sues School Board Over Prop. 187

Glenn Spencer, president of a San Fernando Valley group that supports Proposition 187, filed a lawsuit Wednesday charging that six members of the Los Angeles board of education are illegally using public funds to block the measure.

Spencer said the board illegally used taxpayers’ money to oppose the measure during the campaign and that the district is spending public funds in its legal challenge against the proposition. He said a 1976 state Supreme Court decision bars public institutions from taking positions on ballot measures.

“As a taxpayer, I am being compelled to furnish contributions of money to the school board of Los Angeles so that they can further their pro-illegal immigration propaganda,” said Spencer, president of Voice of Citizens Together. “We are committed to taking this to the ultimate conclusion. . . . These six board members will have to pay the money.”

The lawsuit does not include Barbara Boudreaux, who did not vote with her school board colleagues to challenge Proposition 187 and who has said she believes that the school district should not spend its money on political issues.

The district and other school boards have filed a lawsuit in a San Francisco state court challenging the provision barring illegal immigrants from attending public schools.

Board President Mark Slavkin denied Wednesday that the district is using taxpayer money illegally and said that he believes Spencer’s lawsuit is without merit.

“I find it ironic that he is using the court system to pursue his own political agenda while at the same time he is criticizing others for doing the same,” Slavkin said. “I think this is just another diversion that has nothing to do with illegal immigration or improving public education.”

Spencer’s group has launched a recall campaign against Slavkin, and petitions are expected to be distributed today, beginning the drive to collect voters’ signatures.

District officials have maintained that board members are entitled to take positions on ballot measures.