Explanation of Process in Fair Campaign Practices Complaint

The Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings has completed its review of a complaint filed against Cambridge-Isanti Schools related to the November 2025 referendum. After evaluating the facts submitted by both parties, the Court found no probable cause to believe that the District violated Minnesota Statutes 211A or 211B. As a result, the case has been dismissed in its entirety.

To help understand the Court’s process, it’s helpful to know that complaints of this type go through two stages:

1. Prima Facie Review
At the first stage, the Court reviews only the allegations in the complaint and, by law, must assume they are true—even without evidence. This step does not mean the Court has found wrongdoing; it is simply a procedural requirement.

2. Probable Cause Review
In the second stage, both the complainant and the respondent (District) submit facts. The Court then evaluates whether there is any reasonable basis to believe a violation occurred. After reviewing the facts in this case, the Court concluded that the complainant could not meet the low threshold required to show probable cause to believe a violation occurred.

Final Determination
The Court found that the facts did not support a reasonable belief that a violation occurred, and therefore dismissed the complaint. Cambridge-Isanti Schools appreciates the Court’s thorough review and remains committed to transparency and accountability.

For additional information, please see the full story and Court's official determination here.