School board changes wording in staff ethics policy to bar use of position for partisan or religious purposes

Manitowoc School District Board of Education members voted to amend Policy 4210 on staff ethics, replacing the word "refrain" with "shall not" to clarify that employees may not use their position or district property for partisan, political or religious purposes.

The change, discussed during a review of board policies, is intended to make enforceable the restriction while preserving the clause in the policy that the prohibition "in no way limit[s] constitutional or legally protected rights as a citizen." Board members debated whether the existing phrasing was too vague and could be read as permissive.

A staff member explained that the policy aims to prevent employees from using district authority or keys to open school facilities for political or religious events — for example, allowing use of a high school library for a partisan or religious exercise because an employee has access. Board members raised specific concerns about support staff who hold keys to buildings and whether the policy as written would cover those employees.

Board member Chris argued the policy should use stronger mandatory language and said the phrase "refrain" felt too permissive. Other members agreed and suggested "shall not" or "may not." After discussion, the board adopted the change; the motion passed by voice vote.

The policy revision was approved as part of a package of amended policies the board accepted at the same meeting.

The board did not produce a roll-call tally in the transcript; the approval was recorded as a voice vote in which members said "aye."