Following is an important reminder regarding endorsements of candidates in the Education Council elections by PA/PTAs and/or their officers.
PA/PTA presidents and officers are free to express opinions as individuals, but must avoid the impression that they are speaking for the PA/PTA. Officers must not use their titles if they choose to speak--whether in positive or negative terms--about specific candidates.
Additionally, PA/PTAs must not get involved in campaigns for public office. PA/PTAs must not disseminate endorsements or negative comments about any candidate via email or social media platforms that are regularly used for communications to and among membership, and PA/PTAs must take down inappropriate posts made by others. If your PA/PTA is a 501(c)3, involvement in a political campaign may also endanger its nonprofit status.
Finally, PA/PTA officers who are also current Education Council members or candidates must follow the restrictions on endorsements and candidate slates in Chancellor's Regulation D-130 and the Campaigning Guidelines.
For Citywide and Community Education Council members:
As voting in the 2021 Education Council Elections is underway, we want to remind you to review the campaign rules, which are codified in the Chancellor’s Regulations.
As Council members, you must not use your position or title to interfere with or affect the results of an election, or to obtain any advantage in connection with any campaign activities. This includes endorsing any candidate for a Community or Citywide Education Council. You also must not use any DOE resources (including DOE campaign graphics) or receive assistance from any DOE employee in connection with any campaign.
Please do not retweet, repost or otherwise distribute prohibited endorsements, e.g., by political organizations, advocacy groups, unions or other special-interest groups, or other Education Council members.
Please reach out to the CCEC Elections Team at Elections2021@schools.nyc.gov with any questions and also to report any violations of campaigning guidelines that come to your attention so that we may follow up appropriately.
As a reminder, failure to follow the campaign rules may result in private or public censure, or disqualification.
