'Trump 2020' Mask At Meeting Sparks Policy Review Discussions

OSWEGO, IL — The Oswego School District 308 board discussed creating policies regarding face masks and coverings for the board after member Brent Lightfoot wore a mask at the Aug. 3 meeting that had the United States flag along with the words "Trump 2020" printed on it.

During the meeting, board President Lauri Doyle said that after the previous meeting, several members received comments from the community expressing concern regarding the mask with a political message worn by Lightfoot, WSPY reported.

She said certain expectations should be set for the face masks that the members will be wearing to the meetings. Her basic recommendation was that board members wear masks that "do not distract us" from work as a school board, and that the masks not have words or slogans, except for masks issued by the district, or by a District 308 school organization.

Doyle also recommended updating Board Policy 2:105 concerning ethics and gifts to include a statement that "Board members shall not engage in political advocacy on behalf of a candidate for elected office, or political organization while acting in their official capacity."

The policy in question:

• Prohibits the intentional performance of any political activity during any compensated time.
• Prohibits the intentional use of any district property or resources in connection with any political activity.
• Prohibits board members or employees from intentionally requiring any other board member or employee to perform any political activity as part of that member or employee's duties as a condition of employment, or during any compensated time off.
• Prohibits the requirement of any board member or employee to participate in any political activity "in consideration for that board member or employee being awarded additional compensation or any benefit" whether "in the form of a salary adjustment, bonus, time off, or continued employment."
• Board members may partake in activities that are "otherwise appropriate as part of his or her additional duties or ... are undertaken by the individual on a voluntary basis that are not prohibited by this policy."

Lightfoot responded to Doyle and said while he understood her "intent and goal," there "has to be some range in freedom of expression, versus the words 'non-distracting.'"

"If we limit it to saying we're not going to allow political slogans, be they candidates or civil rights or whatever, I think that, that might be a better definition because it's easier for us to understand what that means, versus what 'distracting' means," he said.

Board Secretary Ruth Kroner suggested the possibility of creating additional guidelines for face masks in the student dress code, which would fall under the jurisdiction of the board's policy committee.

"I suppose it would be part of dressing appropriately," she said.

Board Vice President Matt Bauman said this was a "good start" even though "more conversation and detail" is required on this matter.

The board could not take action on the proposed additions during that meeting, but Doyle said she hoped that the board could agree to abide by the expectations until they could be officially voted on and made into policy.

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