Downey : Teachers Protest Ban On Wearing Political Buttons
Downey teachers have challenged school policies forbidding the wearing of political campaign buttons at work. The protest has prompted school district officials to investigate the legality of the policies.
As classes started this week, principals at four schools warned teachers not to wear political campaign buttons while working, Richard Ruether, executive director of the teachers union, told the school board Tuesday. Ruether, who represents about 754 teachers, contends that the school district is violating the teachers’ rights to free expression.
“I will notify members they have the right to wear their pins,” Ruether said.
There is no district policy banning political campaign buttons from schools, Supt. Edward Sussman said.
“In most districts, (campaign buttons) are not supposed to be worn by teachers and staff,” said Eric Bathen, an attorney for the district. “Teachers have too much influence. It disrupts the education process, and it’s normally considered unprofessional to do that.”
Bathen, who represents about 20 school districts, is researching the issue and will report his findings to district officials next week, he said.
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