Election Do's and Don'ts for School Officials

Superintendents, principals, and board members are citizens first and foremost, and can and should take positions and/or speak up on important issues. However, it is important to remember that that engagement is governed by rules from the Secretary of State regarding a public entity’s involvement in ballot proposals.

The first rule is that, if district funds are used, information disseminated must be factual and not advocate for or against the proposal. This also applies to school employee's actions at work. A misuse of school resources includes printing or producing biased material at school; sending a mass email from your school account; leasing or loaning supplies or facilities to a campaign against a ballot proposal; and posting biased material on teacher's lounge or school bulletin board or website.

Board members and school employees may engage in campaign activities that support or oppose a ballot proposal on their own time as long as district funds aren’t used. This includes writing op eds, or letters to the editor. Board members may wear T-shirts or buttons that support or oppose a ballot proposal at board meetings if not prohibited by policy. School employees may also wear these items at school if not prohibited by policy or the district’s collective bargaining agreement.

A full list of do's and don'ts for school officials is available on the Stop2and5.com website.