As Round Rock ISD employees, we all appreciate having freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the United States and Texas constitutions. The Constitution gives us the right to freedom of speech and expression. Yet, as public education employees, there are limits to our freedom of speech, restricted by time, place, and manner.
In advance of the upcoming election season, the district is providing a reminder of the guidelines all employees and officers must abide by during this time. Round Rock ISD encourages and actively supports its employees in our civic obligation to vote. We understand that many of our employees are engaged in various civics, activism, and politics in our community, state, and country.
The key is not to use school district resources – work time, money, facilities, equipment, or supplies for any partisan election activity or communications. Both the Texas Election Code and the Texas Education Code prohibit knowingly using public funds or other public resources, directly or indirectly, for political advertising to advocate for or against any candidate, measure, or political party. This prohibition’s broad interpretation includes, without limitation, district employees’ work time, district computers and equipment, district email systems, copiers, fax machines, district supplies, and district-owned or controlled property.
Official meetings, staff meetings, training, professional development, and events like conducting classrooms are official district business; therefore, all staff members must adhere to these requirements while engaging in these activities.
If you support a specific candidate, political party, or measure that appears on the ballot, employees should avoid using any resources of the school district to promote or advocate for that candidate, party, or measure.
Additionally, Texas law prohibits communications endorsing a particular candidate or group of candidates when public resources are used, even if the employee does not mention the specific candidate by name. An example of such prohibited communication would be where an employee avoids using the candidate or party name but instead uses catchphrases or inferences to make clear which candidate or group they are endorsing. If your political endorsement is sufficiently clear, then the communication is unlawful.
Texas law on electioneering and misappropriating district resources does not distinguish between national, state, or local matters. The restrictions are equally applicable to all elections.
This information is not inclusive but rather a general overview of considerations and possibilities. Please contact Human Resources or Legal Services if you have questions or need clarification on a specific issue.
Additional information is available from the Texas Ethics Commission.