::Distribution of Flyers
How does your district handle distribution of flyers to students?

Oceanside Unified: Allows non-profit organizations to submit flyers for approval to be distributed to students. Once approved by the district’s designated administrator, the organization must supply schools with the appropriate number of flyers to be distributed to all students.

Mt. Diablo Unified: The approval is done through the Superintendent’s Office, which stamps each approved flyer. The individual requesting the distribution shows the stamped copy to the schools when delivering the copies to be distributed to students. The stamp does not need to appear on the copies. The final approval for distribution is always the principal’s, and we stress that when communicating with the requesting individual or group.

Yuba City Unified: The approval is done through the office of the Director of Student Services. People bring in or fax the flyer, which is marked accordingly if approved. The individual shows the schools that the flyer has been approved by the Director of Student Services. Final approval is always the principal’s decision.

Clovis Unified: Has a formal board policy, which states, “Supplementary printed materials from commercial, political, religious, or other non-school sources, shall have the approval of the Superintendent or designee before being used in the schools. This approval may be given to materials which are of obvious educational quality, which supplement and enrich text and reference book materials for definite school courses, which are timely and up-to-date, and which support the basic educational mission of the District.

Advertising materials of commercial, political, or religious nature shall not be displayed or distributed in the schools or on the school grounds without the approval of the Superintendent or designee. Pupils may not be used as the agents for distributing non-school materials to the homes without the approval of the Superintendent or designee. In general, profit generating businesses or organizations may not use schools or students as agents to distribute flyers, tickets or advertising material.”

William S. Hart Union High School District: Does not accept flyers from commercial interests. However, if it's a civic organization or community non-profit that would be of interest to students, the flyer must be approved by the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. Once approved, the flyer is initialed and distribution is limited to 200 per school and is done by placing flyers in a community place such as the library and/or office. An announcement in the daily bulletin lets students know they can pick them up if interested. Alternately, if the activity or event appeals to a specific class or classes, the flyers could be made available there.

Orange Unified: Does not allow any flyers to be distributed at schools, ever. Instead, the district has created a Community Bulletin Board. Non-profit organizations submit information that is all compiled onto one two-sided flyer each month. These are then distributed to elementary students only. For a sample, contact Victoria Webber.

::Board Member articles, pictures and quotes
Wisdom and advice from CalSPRA members and the California Fair Political Practices Commission

Q:  What mailings are prohibited by the California Fair Political Practices Commission?

A:  Any mailing that meets ALL of the following criteria:

• The item is delivered to the recipient at his or her resident, workplace or post office box; AND,
• More than 200 substantially similar items are sent in a single calendar month, unless they are sent in response to unsolicited requests; AND,
• Either:
  • The item features an elected officer affiliated with the agency that produces OR sends the mailing, OR
  • The item includes the name, office, photograph or other reference to an elected officer affiliated with the agency that produces or sends the mailing, and the item is prepared or sent in cooperation, consultation, coordination or concert with the elected officer; AND,
• Either:
  • Cost of distribution is paid for with public moneys, OR
  • Cost of the design, production and printing exceed $50 and are paid for with public moneys

Q:  When is a mass mailing not prohibited by the California Fair Political Practices Commission?

A:  When the mailing meets any of the following criteria:

• When the item includes the elected officer’s name only in the letterhead or logotype of stationery, forms and envelopes. In this case, the names of all elected officers must appear in the same type size, typeface, type color and location. Also in this case, the item may not include the elected officer’s photograph, signature or any other reference.
• When the item is a press release sent to members of the media.
• When the item is any intra-agency communication sent in the normal course of business to employees, officers, deputies and other staff.
• When the item is a telephone directory, organizational chart or similar listing or roster that includes names of elected officers and other individuals in the agency sending the mailing. In this case, all elected officers and individuals listed must appear in the same type size, type face, and type color. Also in this case, photographs, signatures or any other reference to an elected officer is prohibited.
• (And a few other instances that have little to do with the school PIO function.)

Q: When is it NOT okay to include board member pictures and quotes in district materials, whether printed or electronic?

A:

• When it is a publication that is paid for and/or mailed at public expense.
• When the publication is “from” the school district.
• When it’s a mass mailing or when it’s something that employees are required to view or read.

Q:  When is it okay to include board member pictures and quotes in district materials, printed or electronic?

A:

• When the publication is distributed internally only, but employees are not required to view or read it.
• When the publication is NOT paid for by public funds, including writing, pre-production, printing, labeling, or distribution.
• The publication should probably display a line stating that: “(name of publication) is published at no cost to taxpayers of (name of district).” Better yet, include the name of the organization that IS paying for it.

Q:  Define the gray area when it might not be strictly illegal, but might also not be advised.

A:

• If the internal publication or video, which is not paid for by public funds, features select board members who are up for re-election, and staff were required to view the publication or video.
• Some districts make it an unofficial practice to never use board member quotes or pictures in anything, ever.

There’s more, and there are definitions of terms in the official government code, so take the time to educate yourself. Find the Fair Political Practices Commission website at:  http://www.fppc.ca.gov/
Find Government Code 18901 at http://www.fppc.ca.gov/index.html?id=52