Concerns Raised Over Political Activity at Twin Falls School District Staff Meeting
Thanks to our Twin Falls County, Idaho Chapter Chair, Cierra Clarke, we have learned that a recent mandatory staff meeting held by the Twin Falls School District (TFSD) may have violated Idaho Code §§ 74-602 and 74-604, as well as the federal Hatch Act. During this taxpayer-funded meeting, district employees were allegedly pressured by the board chairman to participate in, and influence the outcome of, a specific political party’s primary election.
The Details
On January 5, 2026, the Twin Falls School District required employees to attend a mandatory meeting held during paid work hours, inside a district facility. The meeting, which reportedly cost taxpayers approximately $13,000, was funded entirely with public dollars.
One of the speakers was Eric Smallwood, Chair of the TFSD Board of Trustees and President-Elect of the Idaho School Boards Association. In his remarks, Mr. Smallwood urged employees to vote in a particular manner for what he described as the “survival” of public education:
“We called this meeting because we need your help… we being the collective body of public education in Idaho. We are under attack, and if we are going to survive, we need your help… in voting. I’m not here to tell you how to vote, but I am here pleading for you to vote. We need your help electing legislators who support public education. Our mission, and our ability to carry on the mission of public education, depends on it.”
These statements appear to directly conflict with Idaho Code §§ 74-602 and 74-604, which prohibit the use of public funds, resources, or property “for or against a candidate or ballot measure.” The meeting was held on school property, during school hours, and attendance was mandatory and paid, all funded by taxpayers.
While Mr. Smallwood’s initial remarks may have seemed broad, his message became increasingly explicit. He continued:
“In case you don’t know, the Republican primary is what is called a closed primary… only persons affiliated as Republicans can vote. If you are affiliated with a different party, you can’t just change your affiliation when you vote—the deadline is March 13th. If you are unaffiliated, you can choose how to affiliate when you vote… Ask a spouse and a friend… and I promise you, those of you in this room will control who wins our primary election in May.”
These comments go beyond general civic engagement. They instruct employees on party affiliation rules, encourage them to recruit others, offer assistance in doing so, and explicitly assert that those present could determine the outcome of a specific party’s primary election—actions that strongly suggest political advocacy conducted using public resources.
View the entire segment of the meeting below:
The Response
On January 12, 2026, just one week after the mandatory staff meeting, Cierra Clarke, Twin Falls County Chapter Chair of Moms for Liberty, addressed the Twin Falls School District Board during its public meeting.
In her remarks, Cierra directly quoted Eric Smallwood’s statements from the January 5 staff meeting and posed a pointed question to the board:
“At what point does a mandatory, publicly funded staff meeting turn into a campaign event?”
Cierra highlighted that the meeting cost taxpayers approximately $13,000 and asserted that the use of public funds, facilities, and paid staff time for political advocacy violates both Idaho law and federal statute. She emphasized that public schools must remain politically neutral, stating:
“Public schools are not political forums, and taxpayer dollars are not campaign tools.”
Her comments called for accountability and underscored the importance of maintaining a clear boundary between public education and partisan political activity.
Listen to Cierra's statement here:
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