Use of School District Facilities for Campaign Activities Required Training
Introduction The purpose of this course is to familiarize school district staff with Washington State law regarding the use of school district facilities to support or oppose a candidate or ballot proposition campaign. The Public Disclosure Commission of Washington State monitors campaign finance and violations of campaign laws and can fine districts and individuals for non-compliance or violation. Campaigns may include school board or other political candidates, bond or levy initiatives, or other measures voted on by the public. This course will provide the necessary information to ensure your compliance with campaign laws in relation to school facilities, including what is and what is not permissible activity.
Washington State Law School facilities may not be used to support or oppose a candidate or ballot proposition campaign. A ballot proposition includes a levy, bond, and/or any initiative or referendum to be voted upon by the people, or any other ballot propositions to be voted upon by the people in a federal, state or local election. A candidate includes any individual running for the school board or any other federal, State or local office. The definition of facilities includes school district equipment, networks, buildings, supplies, employee work time, and district publications. The definition of facilities also includes email.
District Email & Campaigns District email may not be used to assist in campaign activities. District email includes use of district computers or district email addresses (AnyName@spokaneschools.org) This includes any email sent TO a @spokaneschools.org address or FROM a @spokaneschools.org address. District email cannot be used for any campaign activities even if you are on a break.
District Email & Campaigns This means you cannot use district email to: Discuss campaign meeting times or places Engage in or encourage contact with individuals who might help a campaign Provide contact information for yourself or others in order to assist campaign group Recruit or organize staff to participate in sign-waving or other campaign activities Encourage individuals to vote in order to meet validation requirements
Normal Publication with Objective and Fair Factual Presentation In the course of normal publications, a school may distribute an objective and fair presentation of the facts about a levy or bond. The publication must be based on and may expand upon the information prepared by the District in accordance with the normal and regular conduct of the school and the district.
Right to Political Activity School employees do not forfeit their rights to engage in political activity because of employment. You may not pressure any other employee to participate in a political activity or to take a particular position. You should make it clear that any political activity is personal rather than officially sponsored.
Right to Political Activity You may fully participate in levy and bond campaign activities, or school board races (during non-work hours and without using school facilities), including: Passing out leaflets Waving signs Making presentations Calling voters Meeting with citizens campaign committees
Activities that are Permitted You may inform staff during non-work hours of opportunities to participate in campaign activities, provided you do not use school facilities. You may respond with factual information to questions regarding a ballot measure during work hours if it is consistent with normal and regular duties. You may wear campaign buttons or similar items while on the job. You may place window signs or bumper stickers on your privatelyowned cars, even if those cars are parked on school property during working hours.
Encourage Voting You may encourage staff, parents, and the public to vote, as long as the encouragement routinely occurs for other elections. Information about a vote, or providing dates of upcoming elections such as vote on February, may be posted, as long as the information is normally posted for elections other than just district elections. You may thank citizens on reader boards for their support after an election.
Students You may not encourage, organize or contact students about campaign activities during school time or while on school property.
Enforcement The Public Disclosure Commission in Washington State enforces these laws and can impose monetary fines against individuals for violation of these rules. For more detailed guidance, see the official PDC Interpretation #01-03 at: http://www.pdc.wa.gov/home/laws/commissioninterpretation.aspx
Quiz Question 1 It is alright for me to send reminders about meeting times for a citizen levy committee meeting using my district computer. True False FALSE: CORRECT! You may not use district equipment, to include emailing from a district computer, about meeting times for groups that are organizing for or against a candidate or initiative. TRUE: WRONG! It is illegal to use district equipment, to include emailing from a district computer, about meeting times for groups that are organizing for or against a candidate or ballot proposition.
Quiz Question 2 I can wear campaign buttons in support or opposition to a candidate or ballot item at work. True False FALSE: WRONG! You are allowed to wear political buttons. TRUE: CORRECT! It is legal to wear campaign buttons.
Quiz Question 3 I can hand out information or material provided by the district to employees or citizens as long as it is factual, has been done in the past, and does not have a tone and tenor of supporting a candidate or ballot proposition. True False FALSE: WRONG! If the material is only to inform and is factual, it is legal, as long as it has been done in previous years. TRUE: TRUE! It is legal to hand out literature provided by the district that contains only factual information, has been done in the past, and does not have a tone or tenor of supporting a candidate or ballot proposition.
Quiz Question 4 If I am on a break at work, I can use my room or other space in the school to organize materials for or against a candidate or ballot measure. True False FALSE: CORRECT! You may not use district facilities for organizing campaign materials. TRUE: FALSE! It is illegal to use district facilities for organizing campaign materials.
Quiz Question 5 After normal work hours and on non-work days, I can participate in any campaign or ballot initiative as long as it does not use any school district equipment or facility. True False FALSE: WRONG! As long as you don t use school facilities or equipment, you may participate fully in any campaign activity on your own time. TRUE: CORRECT! It is legal to campaign or organize as long as you do it on your own time and do not use school district equipment or facilities to do so.