October 24th, 2014 by WCBC Radio
Although it was not without debate, the Allegany County Board of Education is moving forward with a policy that would ban paid political advertising in the school system. Examples include school athletic programs; fences and score boards at athletic events; newspapers; yearbooks, and public address announcements. Board attorney Gary Hanna provided a brief overview to the board during the October work session, emphasizing that this applies to paid political advertising, and is not a freedom of speech issue. General ads by a candidate, public official or advocacy group, offering congratulations to a sports team, marching band or drama club, but not asking for a vote, would be allowed. While he ultimately voted with his fellow board members to approve the first reading of the policy, Mike Llewellyn did say he has some “philosophical concerns” suggesting the ban works against a school system goal of making students politically aware and engaged…
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