The principal of Sand Pine Elementary planned to use the Penny for Pasco campaign as a teaching tool, but an announcement sparks criticism.
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published August 2, 2003
A penny collecting drive. Penny counting. A schoolwide "Penny Loafers Day" march.
Sand Pine Elementary principal Ginny Yanson thought the 2004 Penny For Pasco campaign to raise money for schools and roads would be a great entree into a penny-centered curriculum this year.
But when her Wesley Chapel school sent out a press release advertising the new "Making Cents for Children" theme, the words within the release raised an ethical issue that almost always surrounds political campaigns that deal directly with school funding:
"This theme is being used to advocate the "Penny Sales Tax Referendum' in Pasco County," the release read.
"Probably, it should have just said "raise an awareness of,"' Yanson said after hearing it read aloud to her. "Maybe the word "advocate' was just a little too strong."
Yanson said Friday that the school does not intend to discuss Penny For Pasco with the students.
Political campaigns can be a touchy issue in schools, especially when the outcome of an election can determine whether or not a teacher will have to conduct class in a portable classroom.
Educators often face criticism that they use their publicly-funded relationships with children to try to influence voting parents.
"I have no problem with a person promoting their agenda, just do it in a proper manner," said Bill Bunting, a vocal opponent of the Penny for Pasco campaign and chairman of the Pasco Republican Executive Committee. "They shouldn't try to shove it down the kids' throats."
At Sand Pine - built for 680 but expecting 860 students this year - voter approval of the sales tax increase for new construction offers some hope of relief from overcrowding.
Yanson said she believes those realities mean her school community knows well the need for additional funds.
Pasco County superintendent John Long said that no matter how strongly educators feel, they should leave their political positions at home.
"I don't think it should be part of anything they do in the classroom," said Long, who is pulling for the tax passage. "What we don't need is criticism that we're doing something improper."
Long said middle and high school government classes can provide a balanced format for students to learn about the issues and positions surrounding a local tax referendum.
But he said he wasn't sure the same opportunity exists at the elementary grades.
Allen Altman, co-chair of the Pasco Citizens Committee advocating the tax increase, echoed Long's sentiments.
He said the committee is recommending to school and Pasco County administrators that they make sure their employees know the line between advocating a certain position and informing the public.
Yanson said the press release was sent out hastily by a secretary who doesn't normally craft the school's media materials. "We're not going to advocate the penny sales tax," she said.
Penny drives are not unusual in the district. Yanson said she hopes the effort will result in a million pennies collected before year's end - money that could go to charity or meeting school needs.
The purpose, she said, is to reinforce for students the power of one when combined with many: a million forgotten pennies comes to a powerful $10,000.
Altman said he likes the theme: "I think it's a wonderful idea. I wish I'd thought of it. But I wouldn't tie it to Penny for Pasco."
Ann Bunting, Bill Bunting's husband and also a local GOP activist, said she would be monitoring how well the schools keep their politics out of the classroom.
"Political advocacy in the schools is not appropriate and it's not academic freedom," she said.
- Rebecca Catalanello covers education in Pasco County. To contact her, call 727 869-6241 or e-mail rcatalanello@sptimes.com
