2025 Electioneering Guidelines for PTOs

This year, Rockwood has two open seats, each for three-year terms on the Rockwood Board of Education. Filing to run for the Board of Education closed on Dec. 31 and there are three candidates for the two open seats in the April 8, 2025 election. Rockwood has district policies and regulations on electioneering​, which recognize Missouri Statute 115.646. 

The foundation of the policies/regulations shares that PTOs may not use district resources to urge support or opposition for a candidate. The following constitute summary guidelines.  If a PTO has questions, please contact Rockwood Communications at (636) 733-1140.

• May a PTO advocate for a candidate or ballot issue?
  • ​No – Candidates: As a 501C(3) organization, PTOs are prohibited from becoming directly or indirectly involved in the campaigns of political candidates. 
  • Yes – Bond Issues: As a 501C(3) organization, PTOs may engage in advocating for or against ballot initiatives - which include bond issues.
     
• May a PTO use district resources to share information about a candidate or issue?
  • ​​No - Advocacy Materials: PTOs may not use district resources to prepare, post, sort or distribute any materials or information that express a position on a candidate or ballot measure. 
  • Yes - Rockwood Communication Materials: Rockwood will produce informational materials that are factual responses about a ballot issue or candidate election. PTOs may distribute these print and electronic messages as posted on rsdmo.org.  All distributed written material must include a “Paid for by” statement.
     
• May PTO members wear a campaign button or sticker at school?
  • Yes: Any person, including PTO members, may wear political clothing, buttons or stickers as long as they are appropriate for the school setting and do not cause a disruption to the learning environment.​
     
• May PTO members work at the polls on Election Day?
  • Yes: PTO members, as individuals, may work at the polls, distribute campaign literature on behalf of a bond issue or candidate, telephone prospective voters and assist with mailings – as long as they are not using District resources.

• May PTOs use the school’s website or social media to post/distribute messages?

• ​No: Campaign information that advocates for or against a candidate or ballot issue shall not be included in PTO information that is directly sent through district information systems, which are district resources.
• Yes: PTOs may use district-approved, informational messages found on  rsdmo.org​ to share on these district resources.
   

• May PTO members use their own personal email, phone, and social media accounts to share candidate or bond issue information?
   
  • Yes – All individuals have first amendment rights to exercise their freedom of speech to advocate for or against a political candidate or ballot issue.  

This information was attorney reviewed and updated January, 2025.