AG Paxton Dispatches Letters To Three School Districts To Halt Unlawful Electioneering
“My office fully encourages Texas schools to educate their students on civic duties and assist them in registering to vote. But pushing faculty or others to vote for a particular person is…”
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today dispatched cease and desist letters to Brazosport, Holliday and Lewisville Independent School Districts regarding violations of the Texas Education Code for unlawful electioneering.
These school districts used taxpayer resources to distribute messages to their staff and the public advocating for or against certain political candidates and measures.
“My office fully encourages Texas schools to educate their students on civic duties and assist them in registering to vote. But pushing faculty or others to vote for a particular person is a clear violation of the Texas Election and Education Codes,” Attorney General Paxton said.
“These school districts must understand that they are responsible, as all state agencies are, for refraining from spending public funds on advocating for or opposing political candidates.” Paxton continued.
“The electioneering of these school districts is unacceptable and a poor example of the civic responsibility, integrity, and honesty that Texas educators should model for our students,” he said.
The letters include screenshots of the school district’s political messaging on social media, as well as campaign videos. In some cases, districts distributed partisan information on behalf of the school district as a government entity, using resources that belong to Texas taxpayers.
For example, Brazoswood High School tweeted a photo of Brazosport Superintendent Dan Massey embracing a candidate and advocating for his election.
The Office of the Attorney General asked that all political messaging by the school districts be removed from public space, and requested a written reply by February 16, 2018.
To view the letter to Brazosport ISD, click here: http://bit.ly/2CkOYfR
To view the letter to Holliday ISD, click here: http://bit.ly/2GfK0DM
To view the letter to Lewisville ISD, click here: http://bit.ly/2suBIpt
I am the mother of 3 daughters and a stepson. My daughters have attended Hays High School in Kyle throughout the last 8 or so years. Though I have not seen blatant attempts by the district to sway votes, I have been told by my kids that teachers made their political beliefs well known to the students and would criticize, even belittle, kids who had views opposite of the teacher’s. Political beliefs are very personal for each person and though I think discussing the political processes and current events, including elections, is important, I believe there is a fine line that must be walked for those in faculty positions regarding the direction of such discussions. I highly praise my daughter’s debate teacher, who told students they will never know her personal beliefs in politics or be able to guess her party affiliation, because when it comes to her classroom, she is neutral and wants them to develop and form their own independent views based on their values and beliefs. This is how all teachers and faculty need to view their roles in regards to teaching or discussing politics in the classroom. If you are an extremely political person and are unable to conceal your political biases in the classroom, then you need to not have those topics ever brought up in discussion with any student. The early years is formative and to use your power as a district, administrative faculty member, teacher, etc. in an attempt to mold and sway a child to your politics is reprehensible, unethical, and is stealing the child’s rights to discover their own identity in the realm of government and politics. Let’s use the phrase, “Stay in your lane.” when it comes to politics in the schools.