August 11, 2026
Dear SRJC Community,

On June 9, 2026, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution placing an extension of the property tax supporting SRJC on the November 2026 ballot. As we enter the election period for Measure AB, I want to provide important guidance on what we can and cannot do as a public institution and as District employees. 

The overarching rule is straightforward: District funds, staff time, equipment, facilities, email, and other public resources cannot be used to advocate for or against Measure AB. Now that the Board has placed a measure on the ballot, these restrictions are applied with particular care. At the same time, the District may continue to provide the community with factual, fair, and impartial information to help voters understand the measure and its potential effects. 

What we CAN do in our District roles:

As District employees, we may continue to: 

• Provide factual, unbiased information about the District's facility needs and the purposes of Measure AB. 
• Explain what projects or improvements Measure AB would authorize. 
• Provide factual information about the potential effects if Measure AB passes or does not pass. 
• Answer questions about the measure, including questions about projects, tax rates, accountability requirements, and the District's facility needs. 
• Provide factual presentations to community organizations that request information. 
• Distribute or post District-prepared informational materials that are factual, balanced, and impartial. 
• Use District websites and social media accounts to communicate factual and unbiased information about the measure. 
• Participate in public forums or discussions that are structured to provide fair access and information. 
   

The key is that District communications must remain informational rather than advocate for a particular perspective. Our role as a District is to explain the facts so community members can make their own informed decisions. Please note that the distinction can depend on the "style, tenor, and timing" of a communication, so when there is uncertainty, please check with Sarah Laggos at slaggos@santarosa.edu before distributing materials. 

What we CANNOT do in our District roles:

While working or using District resources, employees may not: 

• Ask or encourage someone to vote "yes" or "no" on Measure AB. 
• Recruit campaign volunteers. 
• Solicit or raise campaign contributions. 
• Distribute campaign or advocacy literature through District channels. 
• Use District email, computers, phones, copiers, supplies, meeting rooms, social media accounts, or other District resources for campaign advocacy. 
• Use paid District work time to perform campaign activities. 
• Send campaign meeting notices, fundraising requests, or other advocacy communications using District systems. 
• Turn staff meetings or other District business meetings into campaign organizing or advocacy activities. 

Importantly, these restrictions on District resources apply even outside normal working hours. For example, a District computer, email account, phone, or copier cannot be used for campaign advocacy simply because it is being used in the evening or on a weekend. 

What employees CAN do personally:

Being a public employee does not prevent anyone from participating in the political process as a private citizen. On your own time and using your own resources, you may: 

• Support or oppose Measure AB. 
• Volunteer with a campaign. 
• Donate or raise funds. 
• Endorse the measure. 
• Walk precincts or distribute campaign literature. 
• Wear campaign buttons or place signs on your personal property. 
• Use your personal phone, personal email, and personal social media accounts for campaign activities. 

The important distinction is District capacity versus personal capacity. Campaign activity should occur on personal time and using personal resources, not District-paid time or District equipment. 

For example: 

Appropriate District communication: 
"Measure AB would authorize funding for identified facility repairs, modernization, accessibility improvements, and other projects described in the measure." 

Not appropriate using District resources: 
"Please vote yes on Measure AB so we can complete these important projects." 

Likewise, an employee may personally post support or opposition for Measure AB from a personal device and personal social media account, but should not use a District account or District equipment to do so. 

These rules are intended to protect both the District and employees while preserving everyone's individual right to participate in the election process. Please be particularly thoughtful about the distinction between advocacy on the measure and educating the public about Measure AB. 

Thank you for helping us ensure that the District continues to provide accurate information to our community while appropriately maintaining its role as a public institution. 

In Community, 
Dr. Angélica Garcia, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
707-527-4431, angelicagarcia@santarosa.edu