Superintendent urges factual, non‑divisive outreach on operating referendum; limits staff political activity during work hours

Superintendent Barker told the Board of School Trustees the district will approach the upcoming operating referendum with an emphasis on factual information and civility, and that the district will issue rules limiting staff political activity during school hours.

Why it matters: Operating referenda affect local tax rates, school budgets and programs; how the district communicates during the campaign is tightly watched by families, staff and community groups.

Superintendent’s approach

“It's important for me that this referendum is not a divisive issue in our community,” Superintendent Barker said, urging voters to “learn facts, learn how those facts impact them, and vote, with whatever reflects their values.” He said the district’s website contains an operating‑referendum calculator that homeowners can use to estimate their personal impact.

Staff rules and designated spokespersons

Barker said he will send rules to staff clarifying what employees may do during work hours. He said that during school hours the only district employees authorized to speak about the referendum will be Superintendent Barker, Dr. Bidding, Dr. Toler and Mr. Basham, and that their outreach will be “from a factual standpoint and not an emotional standpoint.”

He asked the community and staff to treat one another respectfully during the campaign and offered to discuss factual questions with residents who want more information. No board action was taken at the meeting; the superintendent said the rules would be distributed to staff by the next day.

Taper: The district will continue posting factual referendum materials and will publish the staff guidance that governs communication during work hours.