Campaign Do's and Don'ts for Employees
The district wants to remind all employees that District resources, including, but not limited to, copiers, fax machines, phones and the Rockwood email system are not to be used to urge a vote for or against any candidate, group of candidates or ballot issue. You should not include any information in your publications or materials sent to parents urging people to support or oppose candidates or ballot issues. Questions about what can and cannot go home in newsletters or be sent home with students should be directed to the Rockwood Communications Department at 636-733-1140.
The Electioneering Policy 0380: Electioneering Guidelines Regarding Board Governance, Regulation 0380: Electioneering Guidelines Regarding Board Governance and Regulation 4843: Staff Conduct outline what activities District employees are permitted or not permitted to engage in during a campaign. We urge you to review such policy and regulations. The following constitute summary guidelines, approved by the District's attorneys. As used herein, "work hours" generally means any time an employee is engaged in the performance of his or her duties as an employee of the district, whether during or outside of regular school hours.
Phone Calls, Working at the Polls, Mailings
Permitted
Employees are allowed to give undisputed factual responses about a campaign issue on school phones in response to unsolicited telephone inquiries.
Employees may work at the polls, distribute campaign literature, telephone
prospective voters and assist with mailings, etc., outside of working hours and if not using District resources.
Employees may make phone calls stating their position with respect to a candidate or ballot issue on their own time and on their own personal phone.
Not Permitted
Employees cannot work to promote or oppose a candidate or ballot issue during work hours or while using District resources.
School Materials and Equipment
Not Permitted
School materials and equipment cannot be used under any circumstances to prepare, post, sort or distribute any materials or information expressing a position concerning an election. This includes the use of paper, copy machines, telephones, bulk mailing permits, email, etc.
School Facilities
Permitted
School facilities may be used by organizations, groups or committees to present information and/or literature in accordance with Rockwood Policy 1730: Building Administration and Regulation 1730 by completing an Application for Use of School Premises form. Applicable fees apply.
Contact Facility Usage at 636-733-2017 with questions.
Not Permitted
School property may not be used for political activities during the hours in which classes are in session.
Social Media
Permitted
Employees may share factual information approved by the Communications Department on ballot issues or candidates (not advocacy) on social media at any time. This includes information shared on the District's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube accounts.
Employees may advocate for the ballot issue or a board candidate (encouraging people to vote yes), outside of the workday if their social media accounts are personal accounts (under their name rather than a school or program name and created with their personal email, not a school email address). However, employees who maintain or post to personal social media accounts that identify themselves as employees or affiliates of the District must clearly state that the views expressed are solely those of the author and do not represent an official position of the district.
Not Permitted
Official District and school accounts CANNOT be used to advocate for or against a ballot issue or any board candidate.
During work time, employees CANNOT work to promote or defeat a candidate or ballot issue using a personal account or District resources (including computers).
Wearing of Buttons, Posting Campaign Literature, Bulletin Boards, etc.
Permitted
Employees may display political signs in or on personal automobiles, so long as signs are otherwise appropriate for the school setting and do not cause an actual disruption to the educational process.
Employees may produce and disseminate informational material approved by the Communications Department to employees and patrons about the election.
Not Permitted
Unless otherwise allowed by law, employees should not wear clothing or buttons during working hours or when they are performing their official duties that endorse, promote or oppose a candidate for public office or ballot measure.
Employees may not post banners, signs, etc. on District property that support or oppose a ballot measure or candidate.
Flyers
Permitted
Employees and employee organizations may distribute materials on their own time to support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue.
Employees may produce and disseminate informational material approved by the Communications Department to employees and patrons about the election.
Interacting with Students
Not Permitted
Campaign information that advocates for or against a candidate or ballot issue shall not be included in school newsletters or any information sent home to parents.
Employees shall not distribute political literature to students on school property or use students to courier political materials. Employees shall not send items home with students that support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure.
Voting
Permitted
Employees may encourage citizens to register to vote and give them information on registration, absentee voting and polling locations.
Campaign Contributions
Permitted
Employees may make personal contributions to any candidate or organization supporting a ballot issue.
Not Permitted
Employees may not solicit or accept cash or other campaign contributions during work hours.
This document was attorney reviewed and updated August 14, 2025.