Board Policy GAHB: Staff Political Activities

The DeKalb County Board of Education recognizes that its employees have the same civic privileges as any other citizen, including the privilege of campaigning for and holding elective public office and actively supporting candidates and causes in the political arena. The Board of Education also recognizes that its employees have the responsibility to uphold the public trust and that an employee’s political involvement must not interfere or conflict with the employee’s job. This policy has been established for employees, including those who are candidates for any elected, public office.

1. DEFINITIONS

2. 1. “Employee(s)” means all individuals employed by the DeKalb County School District.

3. “School Facilities” means all facilities, grounds, vehicles, property, and athletic areas owned by the DeKalb County School District.

4. “Equipment” means all physical resources purchased by or donated to the DeKalb County School District. Examples of “equipment” include, but are not limited to, copy machines, paper, other supplies, public address systems, telephones, computer systems, and internet service.

5. EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

6. 1. School facilities, or equipment, may not be used to promote an employee who is a political candidate, unless the employee is on approved leave and the use is otherwise allowed by this policy, or is in compliance with Board Policy “Use of School Facilities,” Descriptor Code “KG.”
7. 1. An employee’s support or lack thereof for another District employees’ campaign should have no impact on the terms and conditions of either employees’ employment with the District.
8. 1. Time during normal working hours may not be used for campaigning or for the promotion of political candidates, unless the employee is on approved leave.
9. 1. The use of District equipment or the use of individuals, in their capacities as employees of the District, on behalf of any candidate, is expressly forbidden, unless in compliance with Board Policy “Use of School Facilities,” Descriptor Code “KG.”
10. 1. School-sponsored functions, that involve employees or Board of Education members as qualified candidates for any elected office shall not be structured in such a manner as to provide the employee or Board of Education member an advantage over other candidates.
11. 1. Employees who are elected officials shall take every reasonable step to differentiate between their duties and responsibilities as a District employee and their duties and responsibilities as an elected official. Should an actual or reasonably perceived conflict of interest arise the employee shall recuse themselves from any activities as necessary.
12. 1. Employees shall not display any political billboards, pictures, signs, posters, badges, buttons or any other political advertisement at any school facility or on their person during normal business hours or while performing job duties. This includes tee-shirts, caps, cards, etc. This paragraph shall not apply to students, except where their conduct constitutes a substantial disruption of or material interference with school activities.
13. 1. Employees are prohibited, on school facilities, from soliciting or attempting to coerce votes or anything of value from anyone in support of, or in opposition to, a candidate for public office.
14. 1. Employees may express opinions as individuals privately and publicly on political subjects, issues, and candidates. In any public statement, employees are prohibited from exerting or attempting to exert influence by identifying themselves in any manner as employees of the District. Employees engaging in political activity shall make it clear that they are speaking and acting as individuals and that they do not represent a DeKalb County School District school, or the DeKalb County School District.
15. 1. Employees shall not attempt to use their position or authority as District employees to exert political pressure on behalf or against candidates for elected office.
16. 1. Employees may be candidates for the Board of Education, but may not continue as an employee of the District while serving as a member of the Board of Education. If an employee is elected to membership on the Board of Education, that employee shall either retire or resign, prior to being installed as a Board member. If the employee does not retire or resign, then the District will deem the employee as retired or resigned in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-51. Continued employment with the DeKalb County Board of Education, upon election to any other Board or public office, shall be governed by the capacity of the employee to perform job duties, while holding public office.
17. 1. Employees shall not solicit others or conspire with others to violate this policy.

18. EMPLOYEES IN VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY

Violation of this policy by employees may be considered good and sufficient reason for disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

1. EXCEPTIONS

2. 1. Political activities within the instructional program are not prohibited under this policy. Employees and students may participate in mock elections, including the displaying of campaign materials.
3. 1. Employees may place political advertising on their vehicles, which are driven to work and parked on school facilities. Bumper stickers displayed on vehicles of non- employees who may be on District property periodically for the purpose of conducting District-related business or to attend school-sponsored activities shall be permitted. Employees may not display political advertising on themselves during their normal working hours.
4. 1. School facilities may be used for political activities by political parties and by individual candidates, and elected officials, and for political forums, provided the use of the facilities is in compliance with Board Policy “Use of School Facilities,” Descriptor Code “KG,” and provided the activity does not occur during instructional times, unless approved by the Superintendent. During these activities, political material may be displayed and distributed, provided they are removed from the facility when the activity ends.
5. 1. During school-sponsored activities at any school facility, political campaigning and the distribution of political campaign materials shall be permitted only in the public parking areas of these facilities. The obstruction of traffic, ticket booths, and entrances of any school facility will not be allowed.
6. 1. Any employee who plans to campaign for an elective public office shall notify the Superintendent in writing at the earliest possible time of his/her intentions. This notification shall include an estimate of the number of annual working days, if any, the employee will be absent if elected to public office.