The Fort Bend ISD does not plan to issue a statement on a call from a local taxpayer advocacy group to investigate the school district’s police chief.

According to Chief Communications Officer Mary Ann Simpson, the district will not comment on a call for the district and the Texas Ethics Commission to investigate allegations FBISD Police Chief J.L. Campbell used district time and resources to mount two campaigns for Galveston County Sheriff.

Campbell, while employed by the school district, ran unsuccessful campaigns for Galveston Sheriff in 2004 and 2008. A number of district insiders have claimed Campbell “ran the campaigns from his office” at the school district police department.

A number of school district police officers brought the allegations forward in a series of interviews with FortBendNow following the November election. In the interviews, the officers suggested the district check the chief’s computer for proof of wrongdoing.

The district did not respond to the allegations.

The group FBISD WatchDogs issued a public statement late last week asking both the school district and the state ethics commission to investigate. The group also asked that allegations Campbell pressured police employees in an effort to find out who was providing information to FortBendNow.

The WatchDogs’ letter was sent to Superintendent Dr. Timothy Jenney and all members of the school board. It was also posted on the FBISDWatchDogs website, http://fbisdwatch.blogspot.com.

Below is the text of the letter in its entirety:

“Dear FBISD Trustees & Dr. Jenney,

“We just wanted to let you know how much FBISDWatch appreciates the hard work and dedication you all have displayed for much of this past year, realizing how little compensation you do receive for your efforts. Further, we are confident, that during this current budgetary crisis, you all will continue to honor and represent your constituents in your fiduciary obligations as our elected officials regarding educational over-site and restraint.

“This being said, it has come to our attention that during much of 2008 the FBISD police chief, J.L. Campbell, was reportedly absent from his job and may have been using district resources in an out of county political race. This quote was obtained from a local media source and has been verified.

“‘Following the election, several Fort Bend ISD police officers contacted FortBendNow and accused Campbell of using his school district office to run his campaign and district administrators of turning a blind eye to the use of district resources and time for a political race.”’ – FortBendNow

“Additionally, several internal sources reportedly have undergone unwarranted pressure from police administration after these stories began, this according to the same sources.

“It is our sincere hope that as our elected representatives and district administration, these allegations will be thoroughly reviewed by the board and later the Texas Ethics Commission. This is our formal request that the school board review and report to the public on this situation upon its earliest opportunity.

“We sincerely appreciate your attention to this very serious matter.”

No school board members have publicly responded to the request or the allegations against Campbell.