Superintendent to be investigated

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Palm Beach County school district confirms that the Florida's Election Commission will move forward with an investigation into superintendent Art Johnson.

A complaint filed last month with the elections commission claims Johnson violated state law in advocating for a tax referendum that was on the ballot Tuesday.

Last week, NewsChannel Five reported that a complaint was filed by Republican activist Jack Furnari of Boca Raton.

He claims materials in fliers and emails distributed ahead of a voter referendum to continue a special property tax for schools were in violation of election law.

The school district sent e-mails to teachers and sent fliers home to parents recommending that they vote in the referendum, which adds 25-cents per thousand of property value in the county.

The tax generates 32-million dollars for the school district.

Johnson denies that the materials were advocating for the tax referendum, instead calling the information 'informational.'

Voters voted to keep the tax on Election Day, with over 66-percent supporting the tax.

The Palm Beach County school district said the district legal team  approved the fliers.

The Florida Elections Commission would not comment on the complaint involving superintendent Johnson.