Opinion No. (2001)

BILL LOCKYER Attorney General ANTHONY S. Da VIGO Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE JACK SCOTT, MEMBER OF THE STATE SENATE, has requested an opinion on the following question: May a school district prohibit teachers from wearing political buttons while attending Back-to-School Night, an annual event where teachers meet with parents to discuss the curriculum and related matters for the coming school year? CONCLUSION A school district may not prohibit teachers from wearing political buttons while attending Back-to-School Night, an annual event where teachers meet with parents to discuss the curriculum and related matters for the coming school year. ANALYSIS The question presented for resolution concerns a school event during which teachers meet with parents shortly after the beginning of the school year. The event, known as Back-to-School Night, allows the teachers and parents to discuss the curriculum, grading standards, classroom policies and procedures, and related matters. The teachers are considered to be "on duty" in the sense that their attendance is normally required and compensated by the school district. 1 May a school district prohibit its teachers from wearing…