Wood BOE to vote on political activity policy

Wood BOE to vote on political activity policy

By MICHAEL ERB


PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education is expected to vote on a policy Tuesday governing politics in public schools.

The board has been considering revisions to its Policy 1311-Political Activity, which covers when such activities are appropriate on school campuses.

A proposed revision to the policy that would suspend persons and groups found violating the policy from using the school system’s inter-office mail system for a year was thrown out last meeting. Instead, Superintendent Bill Niday said Friday he intends to present a policy that is unchanged from years past.

‘‘It is basically the same policy we’ve had,’’ he said. ‘‘It essentially says we’re non-partisan, and that our schools have to remain non-partisan.’’

Niday said the policy was tested in 2004 by a national primary election that was particularly active in the Mid-Ohio Valley

That year, President George W. Bush twice visited schools in Wood County, first by a presidential visit to Parkersburg South High School in May and then with a campaign visit to Parkersburg High School in September.

Under the policy, the first visit was not considered to be a political event, so the White House was not charged to use the school and the Parkersburg South band was allowed to play at the event.

During Bush’s second visit, the national Republican Party rented Stadium Field and a community band, which included some students but was not sanctioned by the school or school system, played at the event.

‘‘There is a distinction’’ between the events, Niday said.

Niday also said the current policy would not prohibit high schools from holding mock elections and from students campaigning as part of those elections. In 2004 questions about the policy arose after students at PHS actively campaigned and put up posters for presidential candidates prior to the primary election as part of a school-wide mock election.

The policy will be the one that has been in effect

Those activities ‘‘would still be allowed, and there certainly is a place for them in the schools,’’ Niday said. ‘‘Part of our role is preparing people to be good citizens, and part of that is getting the students actively involved in the political process.’’