By Lily Altavena
A state lawmaker wants to send teachers a message: If they bring politics into the classroom, they’re risking their jobs.
Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley, has introduced the first education bill of the 2019 legislative session. House Bill 2002 would direct the State Board of Education to devise a code of ethics for educators that would include provisions forbidding the spread of political and religious messages in public district and charter schools.
The ethics code would explicitly ban teachers from endorsing political candidates, legislation or judicial action in the classroom.