FILE: GAHB
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
It is strongly felt by the Bossier Parish School Board that teachers should stress the importance of citizenship responsibilities and the political rights of citizenship to each student. For administrators, teachers, and staff to be able to place strong emphasis on these areas, the School Board believes they should have the right to enjoy these privileges, free from any pressures and/or concerns. It is felt that all employees should be free to support candidates of their choice, exercising their own good judgment.
Therefore:
All personnel shall be notified that they must not be part of any activity relating to any matter to be presented by the School Board to the public (i.e. referendum, tax issues, etc.) during office hours or while on duty, nor shall they use any School Board facility for any such activity. The School Board directs that no cards, fliers, pamphlets, brochures, signs, pins, badges or any other political paraphernalia favoring any political party or candidate be distributed or permitted to be distributed at any time upon school property. No employee shall, during an employment day and on school property influence or attempt to influence any student, teacher, parent or other persons to vote for or against any candidate, or to contact any student, teacher, parent or other persons for the purpose of supporting any candidate or political party. Any property of the School Board or any property located on premises owned by the School Board shall not be used for the purpose of promoting any candidate or political party.
Any materials or equipment (for example, mailing lists, copy machines, etc.) owned or held by the School Board, or staff, shall not be made available to any group or individual without the School Board's approval.
Nothing in this policy shall be construed as precluding mock elections, debates, conventions or other simulated political activities where the activity is primarily intended as an educational experience. Employees engaging in political activities shall make it clear that their statements and actions are personal views and that such statements and actions in no way represent the views of the School Board, the Superintendent or the school district.
All employees shall be informed of these policy provisions. Violation of any aspect of this policy could subject the employee to disciplinary action, including suspension and/or dismissal.
The School Board states that the provisions of this policy shall apply during business hours or while an employee is on official School Board business, and is not intended to interfere with personal time or affairs away from offices or school facilities in any way.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยง17:81
Bossier Parish School Board