Agua Dulce News Index11-5-04 The School District allowed a package promoting three candidates for the Town Council election to be distributed to students during classes in direct violation of state law.
This follows a similar violation of sending with the students an Airport event flyer in December 2003.
This letter is a complaint from a parent of an Agua Dulce student.
Dear Dr. Wagner, I am writing this to inform you of yet another impropriety regarding solicitation in our school district. The attached document is part of a packet sent home with students in one of the classes at Agua Dulce Elementary School. Another parent informed me of this incident.
The first page is an advertisement for the three pro-airport candidates. The second page is the card that was paper-clipped to the actual absentee ballot. It contains instructions on how to fill out the absentee election materials. Please note the statement “VOTE! We like Lorene Cangiano, Rich Dyer and Eric Harnett” is listed as the first step in these instructions.
This packet being sent home with school children thus implies that the school “likes” these candidates. The third page is the actual absentee ballot. Also included in this packet were the two envelopes that are needed to vote absentee. [Here is the flyer HTML] or in [PDF 975K]
State Education Code strictly prohibits public schools from solicitation in partisan matters. In fact, a school is even prohibited from endorsing their own school bond measures. The reasons are obvious: school children should not and cannot be used as political pawns.
California Education Code Section 51520
51520. (a) During school hours, and within one hour before the time of opening and within one hour after the time of closing of school, pupils of the public school shall not be solicited on school premises by teachers or others to subscribe or contribute to the funds of, to become members of, or to work for, any organization not directly under the control of the school authorities, unless the organization is a nonpartisan, charitable organization organized for charitable purposes by an act of Congress or under the laws of the state, the purpose of the solicitation is nonpartisan and charitable, and the solicitation has been approved by the County Board of Education or by the governing board of the school district in which the school is located.
Clearly this Town Council election solicitation is a direct violation of this Ed Code and also simple common sense. It is not right to “use” our children for political or economic benefit.
This is not my first complaint regarding illegal solicitation occurring in our district. Please refer to the letter that I sent Dr. Bandaras and Steve Harbeson in December 2003 regarding a commercial event flyer that was sent home with our children.
The rules regarding solicitation are simple and district compliance with these rules is imperative. Sincerely, Ron Bird
When it comes to making decisions that affect where you live,
STAY INFORMED MAKE U P YOUR OWN MIND!
T'S TIME you found out what bringing County Water REALLY means to you. T'S TIC!.. == to STOP the private meetings that are deciding community policy. T'S TIP the Town Council published what's happening on a website.
Let's focus on what matters to most Agua Dulce. Let's keep trails open.
Let's let County zoning do what they do and have our Town Council focus on keeping Agua Dulce special.
Lorene Rich. Eric Cangiano, and Dyer Harnett
43 YEARS COMBINED experience LIVING IN AGUA DULCE
VOTE TO KEEP THE TOWN COUNCIL
ABOUT TOWN REPRESENTATIVE.
Lorene Cangiano
Rich Dyer
Eric Harnett
STEP 1 VOTE!
We like Lorene Cangiano, Rich Dyer and Eric Harnett
STEP 2 Insert ballot in white envelope and seal.
STEP 3 Insert white envelope into yellow envelope & seal.
STEP 4 Address the return address label on the yellow envelope exactly as you are registered to vote.
MAKE SURE YOU SIGN THE ENVELOPE !
OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT
AGUA DULCE TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION
Tuesday November 2nd 2004
You MUST be REGISTERED to vote in this election.
I . Mark your ballot carefully by placing an "x" in the space(s) provided to indicate the candidate of your choice.
2. After marking your ballot, seal it in a plain envelope. DO NOT place your name or - . other identifying information on this envelope or on the ballot itself.
3. Place the envelope containing the completed ballot inside another envelope which should then be addressed and mailed to:
ELECTION COMMITTEE
33201 Agua Dupe Canyon Road, No. 2
Agua Dulce, CA 91390
4. Your return address on this outer envelope MUST include your full name, street address and SIGNATURE as shown on the LA County Registration list. An envelope without a complete address and signature will void your ballot!
Your return address and signature on the outer envelope will be used to verify your eligibility BEFORE IT IS OPENED. Ballots and envelopes will then be separated prior to tabulation to assure the secrecy of your vote. NOTE: if you recently registered or re registered, your name may not be on the registry list. In this case, attach a photocopy of your registration card and place it in the outside envelope so your eligibility can be confirmed.
MAIL YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT EARLY!
Ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday November 2nd 2004.
Absentee ballots will be accepted at the Polling Place.
Eligible Agua Dulce voters may also vote in person at the
Agua Dulce Women's Club - 33201 Agua Dulce Canyon Road
- OR -
Agua Dulce Christian Church - 34709 Agua Dulce Canyon Road
From 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 2nd 2004
VOTE FOR UP TO THREE (3) CANDIDATES:
Lorene Cangiano - Richard J. Dyer - Judith D. Fried - Ze Gonzales - James L. Hall - Eric Harnett