Policy committee advances draft limiting staff campaign activity, citing state law on public funds

The Wake County Public School System Policy Committee voted to place a revised policy on employee political campaign activities (policy 77.20) on the committee's Oct. 7 action agenda, following extended discussion about how to balance the district's legal obligations with staff free-speech rights.

The draft policy tracks model language from the North Carolina School Boards Association and is written, counsel said, to implement a state statutory restriction that bars expenditure of public funds in support of or opposition to a referendum or a particular candidate. Committee legal counsel Mr. Ramey told members, "the main intent of the policy is to implement a state statutory requirement that prohibits expenditure of public funds, in support or opposition to a referendum election or particular candidate for elective office." He said the statutory prohibition can extend to public resources such as staff time, district email and other district systems.

Why it matters: Board members said the policy affects how staff may engage with ballot campaigns that directly touch schools, such as bond…