3231A - PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
One of the primary purposes of the school is to create an environment that will permit students to grow and develop. To be of maximum effect, this environment must extend to both the formal academic program as well as to the many extra-curricular activities sponsored by the school. Because of the ages of the students and the significance of the task, it is important that this environment be protected from interference by external, sometimes coercive or disruptive, forces and influences that do not substantially contribute to the learning process.
Nonschool-related activities, including political activities, do not contribute to a positive learning climate and may be disruptive, divisive, and distracting. Therefore, such activities are not appropriate within the school setting. It is the intention of the Board to regulate such activities on all Board owned or used property, within all school buildings, and at all school-sponsored activities.
Specifically:
Literature supporting or opposing one or more candidates, issues, or a particular point of view; commercial literature, and other nonschool-related literature shall not be distributed on or in Board owned or occupied buildings or grounds, inside of school buildings or on school buses immediately before or after school or while school is in session. (The distribution of materials to students by other students is governed by the regulations contained in Board of Education Policy).
Literature supporting or opposing one or more candidates, issues, or a particular point of view; commercial literature, and other nonschool-related literature shall not be distributed at school-sponsored extra-curricular activities or athletic events wherever they may occur. This regulation shall not prohibit the distribution of literature outside of the entrances and exits of athletic events providing that any such distribution does not interfere with the ability of individuals to freely enter or leave the facility, is not disruptive, and does not take place when school is in session.
Nonschool-related, political, and/or commercial literature, or campaign posters supporting one or more candidates, issues, or a particular point of view shall not be displayed within the schools or on school-owned or occupied property unless done as part of any approved teaching unit.
When the school facilities are used as a polling place, State regulations will be followed with respect to political activities, the display of political posters, and distribution of political literature on school property.
Employees of the School District shall not engage, during the course of their employment, in any activities that support or oppose one or more candidates, issues, or a particular point of view during working hours. The right to express political or other opinions and exercise their constitutional rights as citizens is naturally reserved for all employees.
For purposes of this guideline, distribution of materials described includes the use of electronic communications, such as District-provided e-mail or District-sponsored social media outlets, and includes such activities on personal accounts done during work hours.
Nothing in this guideline or related policy shall be construed or enforced in any way that impairs any staff member's rights to engage in protected concerted activity.
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