Appropriate to hold political rally at public high school?

[Mac1337]

Just asking.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/201...rance.html

[$tevie]

No.

[Doc]

Yes, so long as the forum is open to other political groups and it doesn't negatively impact the operation and educational mission of the school.

When I was a kid, we had local political candidates debate on the stage of our auditorium and held mock-elections afterwards with real voting machines. It was very educational.

A rally is a little different and I can understand the reticence of the school superintendent.

[cbelt3]

You tell me ? In 2008, Senator Obama came and spoke at my kid's HIgh School.

Personally I think it's a great idea to expose our children to the political process first hand. They can hear from the candidates themselves instead of from the nattering nabobs of negativity. Children (and adults) should learn to make up their minds, not have other people make them up for them.

[Acer]

It's a public building, purchased with public tax dollars, and elections are public events. There's even a strong chance that building is even a voting site. So long as the doors are open for the Republicans to rally at some point, why not? So what if the kids miss an Algebra class. They miss them for a hundred other "approved" reasons.

[RgrF]

As a politically unaware 16-year old, I'd never have gotten to meet and shake the hand of JFK but for an election rally at the local high school. These are public buildings built with taxpayer money for public purposes.

What higher public purpose is there than to support the elective process?

[Pops]

No, not when school is in session. Use of the facilities outside of school hours is fine, imo.

[OWC Jamie]

Voting and politicking was removed from school properties to the local fire departments and apparently that was not politically correct enough and now polling is conducted in the old age homes and private care facilities, here.

As disruptive as the polling traffic and the signs and hooting a block away may be - it's once a year at best every 4 years a bit over the top , but the kiddies should exposed to it as much as possible.

[RgrF]

I agree with billb.

Shoot me!

[Mac1337]

It is not the use of facilities. It is the captive audience. The difference between holding a rally at a school and bussing students to a political rally is the bus.