3232 - POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

1. Pursuant to State law, staff members who are employed by the Board shall not participate in any political campaign for an elective office while on duty.
2. Pursuant to State law and Board Policy 6480, staff members may not expend public funds (that is, any funds under the jurisdiction or control of the District) for a political advertisement or any other communication sent to electors concerning an issue, referendum, or amendment, including State questions that are subject to a vote of the electors.
3. Pursuant to F.S. 106.011:
    
   1. "Political advertisement" means a paid expression in a "communications medium," whether radio, television, newspaper, magazine, periodical, campaign literature, direct mail, or display or by means other than the spoken word in direct conversation, which expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or the approval or rejection of an issue. However, political advertisement does not include:
       
      1. a statement by an organization, in existence before the time during which a candidate qualifies or an issue is placed on the ballot for that election, in support of or opposition to a candidate or issue, in that organization’s newsletter, which newsletter is distributed only to the members of that organization;
      2. editorial endorsements by a newspaper, a radio or television station, or any other recognized news medium.
   2. "Communications medium" means broadcasting stations, newspapers, magazines, outdoor advertising facilities, printers, direct mail, advertising agencies, the Internet, and telephone companies; but with respect to telephones, an expenditure is deemed to be an expenditure for the use of communications media only if made for the costs of telephones, paid telephonists, or automatic telephone equipment to be used by a candidate or a political committee to communicate with potential voters but excluding the costs of telephones incurred by a volunteer for use of telephones by such volunteer; however, with respect to the Internet, an expenditure is deemed an expenditure for use of communications media only if made for the cost of creating or disseminating a message on a computer information system accessible by more than one person but excluding internal communications of a campaign or of any group.
       
      1. Therefore, instructional staff members who engage in political activities or hold public office shall not use time, facilities, or personnel of the school system to engage in such activities. Specifically, the use of copy reproduction equipment or other machinery or supplies, the use of secretarial help, or any other school facilities or personnel is strictly prohibited. Telephone use for such political activities during duty hours shall be confined to an emergency only, and then only in such a manner as shall not conflict with the staff member's school-related duties. Additionally, staff members who engage in political activities or hold public office are expected to discourage constituents or other persons with whom they are associated within their political capacities, from making telephone calls to them during duty hours. 
      2. Staff members shall not solicit support for any political candidate during regular work hours or on Board property. 
      3. Candidates for public office or their representatives shall not be permitted to solicit support during work hours or on Board property. 
      4. Staff members who declare themselves candidates for public office for an elective office shall notify the Superintendent immediately upon qualifying for election. They shall submit to the Superintendent a written explanation of how they will conduct their campaign so that it will be in accord with the requirements of State law and this policy. 
      5. All candidates for public office may take personal leave without pay for thirty (30) days prior to the election. The staff member's request for leave shall be submitted according to the established procedure. 
      6. Such candidates shall adhere strictly to Florida statutes governing political activity on the part of public officials and public employees. 
      7. A staff member who is a successful candidate for an office requiring a part-time responsibility shall report immediately to the Superintendent after the election and thereafter, when deemed necessary by the Superintendent or Board, to evaluate the compatibility of the dual responsibility and the need for personal leave without pay.

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