September 25, 2020

Dear SKPS Family:

We have received numerous questions about employees in their official roles expressing social justice views
about Black Lives Matter. This includes postings on non-SKPS social media sites that either SKPS students, their
families, or SKPS staff endorse.

As we know, students, families, and staff have a variety of values and beliefs, which may include political views
and/or opinions. We honor all viewpoints if they do not promote hate, racism, and discrimination. We strive to
make our educational environment productive for all students and staff. Additionally, courts have held that
public schools can promote tolerance of underrepresented people without giving equal time to intolerance
and can specifically prohibit students and educators from using language or displaying symbols of intolerance
such as “build the wall.”

Looking forward to this election season, we have developed the following guidance that includes talking
points, pertinent examples, and additional resources to help you with difficult conversations around topics
such as Black Lives Matter.

Please look at this as guidance for educators. We do know that there is a need for guidance focused on our
student population, but we must be thoughtful on how to broach the next stage of this issue. With that said,
there is clear guidance based on court law we can apply. We plan to identify examples we can share with
teachers.

GUIDANCE FOR SALEM-KEIZER

WHERE WE STAND
• The Oregon Department of Education filed a temporary administrative rule with the Secretary of State,
adopted by the State Board of Education, focusing on the health and safety of our students and
educators by creating a safer and more inclusive school climate.
o The SKPS Board passed the Safe and Welcoming Schools Resolution ensuring that all students feel
safe when coming to school. This is to concert with the SKPS Safe and Welcoming Schools Plan.
• SKPS stands behind its anti-racism and equity work and further appreciates ODE’s recent ruling that All
Students Belong as an important step in creating safe and inclusive school climates where all families feel
welcome.
• Courts have held that public schools can promote tolerance of underrepresented people without giving
equal time to intolerance and can specifically prohibit students and educators from using language or
displaying symbols of intolerance.

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SOCIAL ACTIVISM WHAT IS PERMISSIBLE
Social activism
• Is permitted in the workplace and, therefore, must be inclusive of all viewpoints if it does not promote
hate, racism, and discrimination.
• It is not a violation of policy for staff or students to wear, for example, BLM-branded items, such as
clothing, pendants, or buttons, or have displays.
o Any such items should not become a disruption to the virtual classroom environment. Be prepared
to respond professionally to questions, criticism, or difficult conversations.
Social media postings
• What you post on your own personal social media accounts is your right if you do so as a citizen and not
representing SKPS.
• SKPS social media should not be used for personal views and should
be limited to school business.
• SKPS may support a variety of non-SKPS social media sites;
however, we do not control the messaging.

WHAT IS NOT PERMISSIBLE: Quick Reference List

Symbols or words on clothing, flags, home furnishing, etc. are hard for
teachers to regulate. However, we are in the process of developing a
check list of the “what is not permissible in the workplace or classroom
for educators or students.” Here are some examples:
• Image of confederate flag—no
• Swastika—no
• Noose—no
• Build the Wall—No
• Black Lives Matters (or “BLM”)—yes
• All Lives Matters—yes
• Blue Lives Matters—yes
• White supremacy and hates symbols—no
• Religious symbols or words—yes

POLITICAL ACTIVITY GUIDANCE

As public employees, there are some restrictions around our political activity while on the job. As we head into
the political season, please review the guidelines below.
The guidelines for political activities are outlined in Oregon Revised Statute 260.432, which states that public
employees may not be involved in promoting or opposing any political committee or initiative, referendum or
recall petition, measure or candidate while on the job during working hours.
Working hours include any time an employee is on duty, including any event or function in which a staff
member wears his or her district badge and therefore represents the district. Working hours do not include
breaks and lunch.
All political campaign laws are overseen by the Oregon Secretary of State. A complete overview of all
restrictions on political campaigning by public employees is available on the Secretary of State website.
While on the job, you cannot:
Collect campaign funds, distribute advocacy materials or prepare correspondence for political action
committees or candidates.

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 Produce or distribute political documents advocating for or against a measure.
Produce or distribute website information, emails or presentations advocating a political position.
Allow unequal access to public facilities to candidates or political committees (if permission is granted to one
party or candidate, the same offer must be open to the opposing side).
Essentially, you cannot use your work time to support or oppose political measures, candidates, or petitions.
Nor can supervisors’ direct staff to do political activities.
While on the job, you can:
Use personal time, lunch, breaks or days off for political activity.
Display political buttons on personal clothing.
Participate in the planning stages of a governing body's proposed issue prior to certification as a ballot
measure, including research, public meetings, surveys, and other actions related to the decision-making
process.
Provide impartial information to employees about possible effects of a ballot measure if advice does not
threaten a possible financial loss based on the outcome of the vote.
Express personal political views that do not conflict with the policies of the school district.
Penalties
The Secretary of State may impose a civil penalty of up to $250 for each violation of the political activity
guidelines. This fine is payable by the individual staff member and is not reimbursable by the district.
OTHER POINTS FOR REVIEW
● ODE adopted emergency Administrative Rules banning display of the Confederate flag, nooses, and swastikas.
● Professional judgment: All staff is expected to exercise good professional judgment at all times.
● Promoting political views: Our role as public educators is to educate and facilitate, not to indoctrinate.
● Please remember that statements from teachers and other staff opposing or supporting a political candidate or
party may isolate some students and staff and make them afraid to speak out as a political minority. Such
statements may also be a misuse of the speaker's position for the purpose or effect of the political
indoctrination of students.
● Walkouts and disruptive protests: All staff are expected to encourage students to remain in school during
school hours, and may not organize, encourage or participate in any student walkout or other disruptions to
instruction (with the exception that staff members may be specifically asked by the principal to supervise
students who have walked out).
● Email and other district resources: It is not acceptable to use district email or other property for political
purposes, or to use any district email listserv for personal or political purposes. This includes the use of 24J
internet access, email, or facilities for political activity, even if it is outside of regular working hours.
● Courts have held that public schools can promote tolerance of underrepresented people without giving equal
time to intolerance and can specifically prohibit students and educators from using language or displaying
symbols of intolerance.
● ODE adopted emergency Administrative Rules explicitly banning the display of the Confederate flag, nooses,
and swastikas.
● We have the responsibility to teach our students about civic rights and responsibilities and engagement, and
how to become informed and contributing residents in our democracy.
● We should model civil discourse, teach critical thinking, incorporate multiple perspectives, and teach students
how to construct arguments using evidence.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
● Fostering Civil Discourse: A Guide for Classroom Conversations (Facing History and Ourselves)
Cover page: http://info.facinghistory.org/civil_discourse/nea
Direct download: http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/443401/Fostering_Civil_Discourse.pdf
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● The Day After (Teaching Tolerance / SPLC)http://www.tolerance.org/blog/day-after
● Speak Up for Civility (Teaching Tolerance / SPLC) http://www.tolerance.org/civility How other school districts are handling
the BLM issue

HOW OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE RESPONDING TO BLM

• http://www.tolerance.org/civilityhttp://millriverschools.org/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/district-communication-covid-19/
• https://myips.org/blog/district/ips-board-approves-racial-equity-policy-and-black-lives-matter-resolution/
• https://www.sbschools.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=4219&ViewID=6446EE88-
D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=5558&PageID=1&Comments=true
• http://www.arps.org/district/news/black-lives-matter-statement
• https://www.rcsdk12.org/Page/48488
• https://www.tempeschools.org/our-district/governing-board/resolution-against-bigotry-prejudice-discrimination-and-
inequity
• https://sm.cesd.k12.ca.us/apps/news/article/1246408

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