Trending
Governmental leaders at all levels must do everything in their power to ensure their entities stay out of the political process. Endorsement of candidates -- either intentionally or unintentionally -- by governments or their employees in their official roles leads to an erosion of public trust.
Yet for the third time in the past six years, Ohio County Schools finds itself having to explain what amounts to the system itself endorsing particular candidates. During that span, the district has allowed its buildings to be used in campaign materials and some of its sports teams, in uniform, to be used to endorse particular candidates.
Let's be clear: School employees are free on their own time to become involved in politics. But using school equipment, property or school-sponsored organizations or teams for partisan political purposes is wrong. Using the district's online platforms to distribute a message in support or opposition of any candidate -- even for a short time -- is wrong.
Why, you might ask? Public schools are supported by the taxpayers -- all the taxpayers. They have a right to be upset if the system supports people or causes with which they disagree.
Public schools also should not indoctrinate students. The appearance that a school system is taking sides does just that.
Finally, the perception, even if incorrect, that a school district backs a specific candidate can have ramifications if someone other than that candidate wins an election.
Most recently, Wheeling Park High School lacrosse players were photographed following a game holding signs supporting one of the six candidates for Wheeling mayor. This follows a 2020 incident in which the Ohio County Coaches Association endorsed a candidate -- which is well within their right to do -- but took the photo in the high school gymnasium. And in 2018, some Wheeling Park football players -- in uniform -- assisted at a candidate event, at the behest of their coach.
To be fair, the photo from this year -- it happened in early March -- was removed from Ohio County Schools' online platforms as soon as officials were made aware -- about an hour after it was posted, they said. Also, the candidate for whom the lacrosse team was holding signs was not aware of the photo in question until after it was posted, and he requested it be removed. The 2020 photograph also was removed after it became clear the picture was on school property.
School officials were right in both cases to react quickly. But the bigger question has to be this: Why does this keep happening? Ohio County Board of Education members Andy Garber and David Croft said Superintendent Kim Miller has made it clear that school system employees cannot use the district, its property or its digital platforms to promote any candidate. So why is that message not getting through?
"… As soon as we were notified, we had the social media post taken down. With that, we reminded our coaches and teachers that they are not to get involved in politics on school grounds," Miller said. "It was possibly an oversight, but certainly a reminder was needed as to what they can and can't do on school property."
Reminders are fine, but at some point there needs to be accountability. One mistake of this nature is understandable, but essentially having the same mistake take place for a third time indicates more than a reminder might be necessary.