The district, as part of its mission to educate and instill civic virtue, will assure that public facilities are not be 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 contain fair, objective and relevant discussions of the facts of pending election issues.
The superintendent is directed to develop procedures for implementing this policy and communicating the policy and procedures to staff.
Cross References: Board Policy 2022 Electronic Information System (K-20 Network)
Board Policy 5252 Staff Participation in Political Activities
Legal References: RCW 28A.320.090 Preparing and distributing information on the district’s instructional program, operation and maintenance — Limitation
RCW 42.17.130 Forbids use of public office or agency facilities in campaigns
WAC 390-05-271 General application of RCW 42.17.130
WAC 390-05-273 Definition of normal and regular conduct
Adoption Date: May 19, 2003