Solicitation or advertising in any form by candidates for public office or political-oriented organizations
(for example, issues on a public ballot) is not permitted. Political literature shall not be distributed through the school to students, nor sent home to parents, nor placed in teachers’ mailboxes, lounges, or on school premises. Political advertising in any form shall not be permitted on school facilities, on school grounds or in school publications.

The sole exceptions to this restriction are as follows:

1. For election days at those school facilities that are used as polling places, political signage may be placed on campuses that host polling places beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to an election. On election days at these locations, election officials will determine the placement of advertising and the permissibility of solicitation. All such materials must be removed by the candidates by 7:00 a.m. the day following the election.
2. Political office holders and those campaigning for political office may provide sponsorships, as defined above. The Knox County Schools maintains the right to provide appropriate recognition of such sponsorships.
3. Candidates for elected offices within Knox County Schools or Knox County Government which are not voted upon by the general public (e.g., a representative to the county retirement board) may advertise under this policy, but candidates for office which is voted upon by the general public (e.g., School Board) may not use Knox County Schools information systems to promote their candidacy. 

Approved as to Legal Form
By Knox County Law Director 1/11/2024
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director