Idaho state schools chief Tom Luna has warned teachers and other school employees not to engage in political activity on school grounds, amid efforts by his opponents to overturn controversial legislation he supported and a push to recall him from office.
In a May 16 memo, Mr. Luna wrote that he had heard of school employees’ staging political actions that violate the state code of ethics for educators. Those who break the rules can be reprimanded, or their professional licenses could be suspended or revoked, he said.
Idaho’s Republican-controlled legislature approved one of the most sweeping education policy overhauls in the country this year, including restricting collective bargaining and phasing out tenure.
The Idaho Education Association accused Mr. Luna of pressuring educators opposed to the measures. Mr. Luna’s office countered that the note was only a reminder about the ethics code.
