Electioneering Guidelines for PTOs
The Rockwood Board of Education has voted to put Prop S, a $0.45 tax levy increase to raise teacher and staff salaries to be more competitive with other local school districts, expand healthcare benefit offerings to more employee groups and hire two additional school safety officers to enhance safety across the district. Prop S will appear on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot and will require a simple majority (50 percent + 1) to pass. Rockwood has district policies and regulations on electioneering, which recognize Missouri Statute 115.646.
The foundation of the policies/regulations states that PTOs may not use district resources to urge support or opposition for a ballot initiative or 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 – Ballot Initiatives
As a 501c(3) organization, PTOs may engage in advocating for or against ballot initiatives—which include levy increases and Prop S.
May a PTO make a contribution to a campaign for a ballot measure?
Yes
PTOs may make contributions to any organization supporting a ballot issue. Under current IRS rules, PTOs are permitted to expend up to five percent of their overall expenditures on a donation to an organization.
Note Timing
PTOs may not solicit or accept cash or other campaign contributions on school property during the hours in which classes are in session.
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 advocates for or against the passage of Prop S.
Yes – Rockwood Communication Materials
Rockwood will produce informational materials that are factual responses about Prop S and contain language permitted by the Missouri Statute and Board policy and regulation. PTOs may distribute these print and electronic messages as posted on rsdmo.org/propS. All distributed written material must include a “Paid for by” statement.
May PTO members wear a campaign button or sticker at school?
Yes – except on election day for polling sites
Any person except employees of the district, including PTO members, may wear political clothing, buttons or stickers in schools as long as they are appropriate for the school setting and do not cause a disruption to the learning environment. However, if a school is a polling place, keep in mind that additional restrictions apply on election day. Specifically, Missouri election law prohibits the wearing of buttons, stickers or political clothing on election day inside the building in which a polling place is located or within 25 feet of the building's outer door closest to the policy place.
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 Prop S, 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 Prop S shall not be included in PTO information that is directly sent through district information systems, which are district resources.
Yes
PTOs may use the district-approved, informational messages found on rsdmo.org/propS to share on these district resources.
May PTO members use their own personal email, phone, and social media accounts to share candidate or ballot 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—including Prop S.
This document was attorney reviewed and updated September 9, 2025.