Jerome Joint School District No. 261

PERSONNEL 5290

Political Activity - Staff Participation

The Board recognizes its individual employees’ rights of citizenship, including, but not limited to, engaging in

political activities. An employee of the District may seek an elective office, or advocate for or against a political

candidate or ballot measure, provided that the staff member does not campaign during instructional times or

while they are responsible for other duties, or while they are in settings where they are likely to have contact with

students; and provided all other legal requirements are met. “Ballot measure” includes, but is not limited to, bond

or levy elections.

No person may attempt to coerce, command or require a public employee to support or oppose any political

committee, the nomination or election of any person to public office, or the passage of a ballot issue.

The District shall not restrict constitutionally protected political speech of employees during non-instructional

times in non-student contact settings, such as during duty-free periods in faculty break rooms and lounges during

the school day or during afterschool events. Nothing in this section is intended to restrict the right of a District

employee to express his personal political views.

No District employee may use public facilities, equipment, including, but not limited to, telephones, fax machines,

copy machines, computers, e-mail, etc., or supplies, including, but not limited to, paper clips, staples, pens, pencils, paper, envelopes, tape, etc., that are purchased with public funds for election or political campaigns, private or charitable organizations or foundations, or ballot issues.

No District employee may work on election, political campaigns, ballot issues, or issues dealing with private or

charitable organizations or foundations during the work day.

Legal Reference: 5 USC 7321, et seq. Hatch Act

I.C. § 74-601 Public Integrity in Elections Act

Idaho Constitution Article III, Section 1

Policy History:

Adopted on: 03/25/2008

Revised on: 12/18/2012

Revised on: 10/23/2018