July 25, 2006
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
You can do something!
Today's edition of the Patriot Ledger has a story concerning the second note sent to local school administrators concerning the use of the 'backpack message delivery system', also known as - sending notes home in students' backpacks. The story is here: http://ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2006/07/25/news/news01.txt (the text of the story is below, in case the link is no longer valid)
In the past, this has often been a concern to community members - the ability to freely distribute materials that the OCPF (Office of Campaign and Political Finance) considers of a political nature. Beyond schools, this could have implications on other government entities. For instance, it could be a problem to have the flyers printed and available at the library, or to have the information posted on official town or school websites.
The last sentence is key:
The letter notes the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in 1978 that the use of public funds is prohibited to ‘‘advocate a position which certain taxpayers oppose.’’
Another school chief warned: Milton superintendent is 2nd local school chief to be told not to use town cash to push politics
The Patriot Ledger, Tuesday, July 25, 2006, By L.E. CAMPENELLA
MILTON - For the second time this year, a local school superintendent has been warned not to use town resources to push for approval of a tax increase.
The state Office of Campaign and Political Finance has informed Milton Superintendent Magdalene Giffune that a ‘‘budget update’’ she sent to the parents of 3,500 students before a Proposition 2½ override election in June could be construed as campaigning for the measure.
‘‘Although the letter did not specifically mention the override, the fact that it was distributed after town meeting and before the election and contained a discussion of the effect of budget cuts, a reasonable person might conclude the update was intended to affect the override election,’’ agency director Michael J. Sullivan said in a letter to Giffune. Sullivan said if it happens again, Giffune could be required to repay the town for all costs.
Giffune said the school department’s attorney approved the letter. ‘‘I wasn’t tying to skirt the law, I was just trying to be informative,’’ Giffune said. ‘‘I checked with our lawyer. We were not making it a big secret,’’ she said. ‘‘I really thought it was allowable.’’
In May, Cohasset Superintendent of Schools Denise Walsh wrote the town a check for $378 to pay for a similar mailing just before a Proposition 2½ override.
The Milton override was approved, while Cohasset’s was defeated.
Giffune received the letter from Sullivan last week. The letter notes the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in 1978 that the use of public funds is prohibited to ‘‘advocate a position which certain taxpayers oppose.’’
