May 2014

Employees are Encouraged to Participate in the Political Process

Being an active participant in the political process is important for all citizens. This is especially true for teachers and other school district employees. District employees have a vested interest in the political process. Decisions made by elected officials have a direct and profound impact on the professional and personal lives of district employees. Being engaged in the political process also models good citizenship for our students.

The Golden Rules for your actions in the political process are:

- Do not conduct any political activity on district time or using district resources. - Do not conduct any activity that would be disruptive or interfere with school activities.

All school district employees CAN:

- Campaign for candidates running for office (off district property, on personal time) - Contribute to candidates, political parties and political action committees - Serve on committees for individuals running for office - Distribute campaign material (off district property, on personal time) - Contact elected officials regarding your personal opinions of pending issues (off district property, on

personal time) - Participate in parades, rallies or other public events to show your support for a candidate or position - Display political signs on your home lawn - Wear clothing, buttons or any other item that displays campaign information including on district

property during non-paid (after-working) hours - Place a bumper sticker, magnet or decal (normal bumper sticker size) on your vehicle that is driven

and/or parked on district property Teachers CAN:

- Use political campaign materials or conduct mock elections as a relevant part of the curriculum, provided the teacher does not advocate on behalf of a candidate, party or position

- With the principal’s permission, invite candidates to visit classes and/or assemblies if equal opportunity is afforded all registered candidates for a particular office, and the invitation to speak is part of the teacher’s lesson plan

All school district employees CANNOT:

- Promote a candidate or political position during paid work hours - Distribute any campaign materials during paid work hours (this includes the distribution of any cards,

fliers, pamphlets, brochures, signs, pins, badges or any other political paraphernalia espousing any political party, position or candidate)

- Produce any campaign materials, documents or projects on district property, during paid work hours or using any district-owned equipment (this includes any district-owned mobile device)

- Use district-associated communications systems, including web sites, school/district Facebook pages, district aligned Twitter accounts, email, phone or voicemail to send or receive campaign information

- Display political signs, flags or banners on district property - Wear clothing, buttons or any other item that displays campaign information during work hours - Display large signs, flags or banners(that are not in, or affixed directly to, the vehicle) on your vehicle

that is driven and/or parked on district property that espouses a particular candidate, political party or position

Bottom line: District employees are encouraged to exercise their rights as individual citizens on a personal basis outside of the school day or work hours and not using district resources. In cases where schools are used as official polling places, the rules and regulations of the election commission will prevail. Requests for exceptions to the guidance above or for any other questions concerning this information, please contact the Public Information Office at (803) 476-8118.

The above information was derived from the Ethics, Government Accountability & Campaign Reform Act of 1991, as well as Lexington-Richland Five Board Policy KHE Political Campaign Materials Distribution/Staff Participation in Political Activities.