A Balancing Act
Public Service and Personal Politics in Texas Education
Campaign season is in full swing. And our local school board members have been busy endorsing and supporting local candidates.
You may have seen screenshots like this one floating around.
But aren’t they ‘non-partisan’?
Let’s take a look at what school board trustees can do.
Understanding Nonpartisan
Like most school board elections in the United States, Texas has nonpartisan elections.
This means the candidates’ political party affiliations are not listed on the ballot.
In theory, this allows voters to focus on the candidates’ qualifications rather than party loyalty.
While they don’t have a party affiliation next to their name on the ballot, candidates can publicly state their party affiliation in campaign materials, speeches, and other communications. They can also register with a political party and choose to highlight that affiliation in their campaigns.
Political Endorsements
Texas school board trustees, like any private citizen, have the right to endorse other candidates. However, they must do so as private citizens and not use school district resources for these endorsements. They can express their political opinions and support candidates during their personal time.
What does personal time mean in this context? I would simplify it to mean that they aren’t using school district facilities, staff, or other resources to promote their own political views or activities.
Donations
Trustees can make personal political donations but must adhere to the Texas Election Code. This includes:
Personal Contributions: Trustees can give their own money to political campaigns.
Restrictions on Use of District Resources: The Texas Election Code prohibits using school district resources for political advertising or to support any candidate or political party.
Why Trustee Endorsements Matter
While trustees have the right to make personal political endorsements, it’s crucial for voters to pay attention to these choices.
Here’s why:
Alignment with Educational Values: The candidates trustees endorse often reflect their views on education. If a trustee consistently supports candidates who don’t prioritize public education, it may indicate their stance on the issue.
Influence on Policy: School board members significantly influence local education policy. Their political alignments can shape their decision-making on crucial issues affecting students, teachers, and the community.
Transparency: Endorsements provide insight into a trustee’s political leanings, which may not be apparent in officially nonpartisan roles. This information helps voters make more informed decisions.
Community Impact: School boards make decisions that affect not just schools but entire communities. Understanding the political leanings of board members through their endorsements can help predict their approach to community-wide issues.
Public Education Advocacy: When trustees endorse candidates who don’t strongly support public education, it questions their commitment to the system they’re meant to oversee and improve.
Remember, while trustees have the right to make personal endorsements, voters must evaluate these choices critically. Consider how a trustee’s political affiliations align with their role as a steward of public education when assessing their performance or deciding on their vote in school board elections.
By staying informed about trustee endorsements, especially those that may not align with solid support for public education, voters can better ensure that their school board represents the community's educational values.
What If District Resources Were Misused
If you think a trustee is misusing district resources, you should:
Gather Evidence: Collect any relevant information or documentation that supports your claim. This may include emails, flyers, or records of meetings where district resources were allegedly used for political purposes. One resource for this is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Contact the School District: Start by contacting the school district directly. You can speak with an administrator or the school board to express your concerns. Keller ISD has a grievance process for addressing such issues.
Appeal to the Commissioner of Education: If the district doesn’t resolve the issue, you can seek a solution from the Commissioner of Education.
Sources
https://ballotpedia.org/Rules_governing_party_labels_in_school_board_elections
https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/resources/advertising/Bsch_adv.php
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/contact-us/complaints/general-education-complaints
https://www.kellerisd.net/departments/communications/public-information-requests