subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Published: October 29, 2008 11:25 pm    print this story   comment on this story  

School board endorsements might violate Kentucky law

Superintendent places quarter-page ad in Elliott County News

By MIKE JAMES
The Independent

SANDY HOOK The Elliott County school superintendent has endorsed three school board candidates in what may be a violation of state law.

Superintendent John C. Williams placed a quarter-page ad in the Oct. 24 Elliott County News endorsing incumbents Susan Burton, Donnie Barker and first-time office-seeker David Dennis.

The endorsement may be in violation of Kentucky law.

Section 161.164 of the Kentucky revised statutes prohibits any school district employee from participating “in the management or activities of any political campaign for school board.” It also prohibits candidates from soliciting or accepting “any political assessment, subscription, contribution or service of any employee of the school district.”

The Kentucky Department of Education is aware of the matter and has notified the state Office of Educational Accountability and the office of the attorney general, said education department spokeswoman Lisa Gross.

The legal issue appears to be whether Williams surrenders his right as a private citizen to endorse under the First Amendment when he identifies himself as superintendent, Gross said.

A spokesman for the Office of Educational Accountability wouldn’t confirm or deny whether it is investigating the matter.

But a spokeswoman for the office of the attorney general said it had received “an informational notice” on the matter from the education department and that the OEA is looking into allegations of inappropriate activities by Williams.

If the OEA determines any wrongdoing, its findings would be forwarded to the attorney general, said spokeswoman Allison Martin.

Williams declined comment and referred a reporter to his attorney, Bob Chenoweth.

Chenoweth did not return a call for comment Wednesday.

The ad outlines achievements of the district and credits “the cooperation and teamwork of a cohesive school board.”

The Elliott County school district chooses its board members by voting districts, and all three seats are contested. Burton is opposed by Kathy Fraley in the first district, Barker by write-in candidate Melissa McIntosh in the second and Dennis by Brenda Sheets in the third.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.

print this story   comment on this story  

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.



Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

THERAPIST NEEDED
Looking for a great career in a fast-paced, upbeat clinic while working with other professionals to relieve pain? If...>MORE

THE ASHLAND-BOYD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Job Listings:
abchealth
department.com
...>MORE

THE HOME SHOW
Feel Right at Home.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Housing Consultant
Wanted!

• Positive Attitude a
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Cars, RVs and Boats

CHEVY COLORADO
2005 4x4 crew cab, 17k, x-cond., 606-324-8765; 571-6566. ...>MORE

MOTORCYCLE FOR SALE
ROADSTAR- ‘05 Midnight Silverado, loaded w/ chrome-$6,950 928-9600...>MORE

JAYCO HERITAGE POP-UP
1999, sleeps 6, $3,500 firm amenities. 606-920-9510...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Real Estate

FLATWOODS 2BR COTTAGE
FW- 1409 Clark St. 2BR cottage, HW fls., 2 bonus rms. $55k. 740-886-8742...>MORE

HOME FOR SALE
OLD FARM ESTS- 3BR, 2BA ranch, ch/a, $118,000. (606)922-0693...>MORE

Mobile home for sale
FLEMING- ‘88 dbl wide, 52x24, must move! $21,999. (740)372-0399....>MORE

See all ads

Premium Deal of the Day

POOL TABLE
Professional 4 1/2 x 9 Olhausen, $1500. 606-232-1448....>MORE

Patriot Tandem Trailer
TANDEM TRAILER- ‘07 6’x12’, pointed front, $2500 obo. 836-6191....>MORE

HORSE FOR SALE
GAITED GELDING- tri color, 10 yrs, kid safe, $1,000. (606)831-4534....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index