The district, as part of its mission to educate and instill civic virtue, will assure that public facilities are not used to assist in any candidate’s campaign or to support or oppose any ballot measure, and will assure that the community is appropriately informed about district and education related ballot measures through objective and fair presentations of the facts related to those measures.
The board will consider adopting resolutions expressing the board’s collective opinion on ballot measures (state and local, including district levy and bond measures) that impact the effective operation of the schools. Such a resolution will be considered at a board meeting, the short title and proposition number of the ballot measure will be included in the meeting notice, and an equal opportunity will be provided for views on both sides of the issue to be expressed.
Prior to an election on a district ballot measure, the district will publish to the entire community an objective and fair presentation of the facts relevant to the ballot measure. Normal and regular publications of the district will also continue to be published during election cycles and may contains fair, objective and relevant discussions of the facts of pending election issues.
The superintendent or designee is directed to develop procedures for implementing this policy and communicating the policy and procedures to staff.
Cross Reference:
Electronic Information System (K-20 Network) - Policy 2022
Use of Facilities - Policy 4260
Staff Participation in Political Activities - Policy 5252
Legal Reference:
Preparing and distributing information on the district’s instructional program, operation and maintenance
Limitation - RCW 28A.320.090
Use of public office or agency facilities in campaigns — Prohibitions — Exceptions - RCW 42.17A.555
General application of RCW 42.17.130 - WAC 390-05-271
Definition of normal and regular conduct - WAC 390-05-273
Management Resources:
PDC Issues Election Guidelines for Schools - Policy News, August 2001
Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: July 2012
Classification: Essential