x
Breaking News
More () »

Coeur d'Alene school district tells staff not to advocate on upcoming funding levy

In March, Coeur d'Alene voters will decide on a two-year, $20 million a year school funding levy. The measure will support various school services including school resource officers, nurses, and expanded mental health resources among other aspects.

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — The Coeur d'Alene School district is clarifying advice it gave to school administrators regarding what they can and can't say about the district's upcoming levy vote. 

The move comes following a recent district directive that told administrators they weren't allowed to advocate for the levy, even on their free time. The advisement caused some confusion and frustration among school leaders.

In March, Coeur d'Alene voters will decide on a two-year, $20 million a year school funding levy. The measure will support various school services including school resource officers, nurses, and expanded mental health resources among other aspects.

At a recent administrators meeting, Lake City High School Principal Deanne Clifford said district leaders informed staff that, in regards to the upcoming levy, they were to disseminate information about the measure but not advocate for it regardless if the activity took place outside of work hours. The directive marked a change from previous years where administrators would traditionally advocate for levy measures, so long as the advocacy didn't involve work resources or time.

“It's confusing more than frustrating. Just really confusing," said Clifford of the move. 

She agreed that it wouldn't be proper to advocate for the levy using school resources or time, but Clifford argued that doing so on her free time should be fair game. 

“I also am confused why it would not be OK for me to sit on my back porch and talk to my neighbors about the levy and about my opinion on the levy,” she said. 

Nick Lilyquist, principal at Canfield Middle School, also expressed concern regarding the district's advice. 

"I feel as though I should be able to advocate for [the] levy on my personal time without using district resources," Lilyquist wrote in an email to KREM. "I agree and understand we shouldn't be advocating during work or using district resources."

The district had said that its advice was the result of a new Idaho law that took effect last year. The bill, dubbed The Public Integrity in Elections Act, looks to prevent public funds and resources from being used to promote ballot measures. A district spokesman had said that members of the public might see school administrators as working at all times, since they don't necessarily have set hours. Given that, citizens could possibly blur the lines between a school administrator speaking on their own behalf as opposed to speaking for their respective school.

“We can’t 'take off the cloak,' if you will, of being an employee,” said Clifford of the district's reasoning. 

On Monday afternoon, CDA Schools Spokesman Scott Maben said that the district was working to revise its message. 

"We are working on communication for our salaried administrators," Maben said. After consulting with lawyers, Maben said that the district had "mapped out" an interpretation of the law that would keep the district in check but also ensure that employees "continue to exercise first amendment rights."

Jason Monks, a Republican state representative from Southern Idaho, sponsored the new law and told another news outlet that the Coeur d'Alene school district was misinterpreting the bill. Monks said that the law was designed to protect free speech. 

Clifford said she plans to continue to speak with the district to clear up any more confusion. 

“I know what’s in the levy. I know how we’re going to benefit and I know how kids are going to benefit,” she said. In years past, Clifford had campaigned for prior levies during her free time, including calling voters the night before elections. “To not be able to call patrons and let them know [when the election is] is a little disheartening.”

RELATED: Cd'A Schools to begin delayed starts during winter storms

RELATED: Idaho high school graduation rate hits all-time high

Before You Leave, Check This Out