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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Who should sponsor candidate forums?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Good morning, everyone. Today you’re in for something different. Megan Matteucci, who covers Clayton County, wrote today’s posting about another interesting development with the school district. Here’s what she had to say:
Clayton students will question school board candidates tonight at a forum organized by the school system’s new superintendent.
With the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools mandating Clayton establish a capable school board or lose accreditation, many business and civic groups have organized political forums. But this is the first one hosted by the Clayton County school system.
Superintendent John Thompson organized the forum through his student advisory committee, a group of students that meet monthly with the superintendent to share concerns. The forum will be held at the county’s Performing Arts Center on Mount Zion Parkway, which is owned by the school district.
Clayton school board policy prohibits school facilities from being used for political purposes. School policy also prohibits candidates from campaigning on school property.
School officials say this is not a political event, but an educational forum. They say candidates will answer questions from three students, but will be prohibited from distributing campaign materials.
Should school officials get involved in the political process?
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