Kern Bill Banishes Teacher Politicking

A bill by Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, would prevent Oklahoma educators from being forced to listen to political addresses during “professional days” or other official school activities.

House Bill 2161 makes it illegal to distribute material at professional meetings “for the purpose of influencing the results of an election for state or local office or a ballot measure or for the purpose of soliciting funds for or against a candidate for state or local office or a ballot measure.”

The bill also states that school district officials and employee organizations are not allowed to promote a candidate for office “at an in-service or other similar teacher meeting.”

“Professional development days should be spent helping teachers hone job skills, not creating a captive audience for a political cause favored by an administrator or special-interest group,” said Kern, an Oklahoma City Republican and former teacher. “Our schools should be centers of learning, not rally organizers for politicians.”

She noted that some schools have used professional days to advocate for ballot initiatives advanced by special interest groups, such as the measure legalizing casinos in 2004.

“Oklahoma’s teachers are smart enough to research political questions and decide for themselves how they want to vote,” Kern said. “They don’t need to waste school time on non-school activities.”

The bill passed on a bipartisan 12-0 vote in the House Common Education Committee. It now goes to the floor of the House.

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