For Reed Union teachers, staff and Board members
Yes, you can get involved.
Teachers and staff can endorse, volunteer, donate and put up a yard sign. The one rule: do it on your own time and off district property, never on the clock.
Employees and Board members often have questions regarding what they can and cannot do during the ballot measure process. While there are some restrictions, there are many ways in which Board members and staff can get involved. In fact, most successful ballot measures rely on these individuals participating in the effort.
The law prohibits using public resources to campaign for a ballot measure. This means that district monies, facilities, time, supplies and equipment cannot be used to campaign for the measure. This also means that employees cannot engage in political advocacy including campaign activities while they are “on the clock” in their jobs. Distinct from political advocacy, however, they may provide factual and impartial information about the measure and the funding needs during working hours.
Off the clock · Off district property
On your own time, you can
On personal time, and off District property, employees can participate in advocacy efforts. While “off the clock,” employees can:
- Participate on the campaign committee
- Volunteer for the campaign
- Donate to or raise funds for the campaign — although Board Members and Executive Staff may have additional restrictions pursuant to SB1439
- Endorse the measure
- Wear campaign buttons
- Place a yard sign in their yard
- Distribute persuasive information about the measure
On the clock
While working, you can't
When serving “on the clock” as an employee, District employees cannot:
- Urge individuals to vote for or against the measure
- Distribute advocacy literature
- Recruit volunteers for the campaign
- Raise funds for the campaign
- Wear campaign buttons
- Use copies, meeting rooms, or supplies to advocate for or against the measure
On the clock
While working, you can still share the facts
When serving “on the clock” as an employee, District employees can:
- Provide factual, fair, and impartial information about the needs facing the District and what the measure aims to accomplish
- Provide factual, fair, and impartial information about what will happen, or not happen, if the measure does not pass
- Distribute factual, unbiased flyers informing voters about the measure in a manner consistent with established practices
- Provide a factual presentation to an organization seeking more information
- Use legally-vetted and approved public information materials to communicate about the measure
A note for Board members
Given that Board Members are not full-time employees of the district, they have more flexibility in how they may devote their time to advocacy efforts. However, Board Members, like district employees, must refrain from using any district resources to advocate for or against a ballot measure.
These guidelines are not intended as legal advice. If you have specific questions regarding how certain groups can be involved, TeamCivX encourages you to contact your legal counsel.