February 11, 1991

Mr. Everett Conn, Jr.
Superintendent
Mingo County Schools
Alderson Street
Williamson, West Virginia 25661-3296

Dear Mr. Conn:

You have asked if it would be a misappropriation of funds to pay teachers who leave school to lobby the state legislature without having them claim a personal leave day.

Personal leave authorized by W.Va. Code 18A-4-10 is the method recommended by the Attorney General although he recognizes that there could be other methods. Please read the enclosed State Superintendent's memorandum on this subject, written February 8, 1990, and its referenced opinion letters from the Office of the Attorney General.1 The reason for these opinions is that teachers or other school employees would be representing themselves rather than the public school system.

Hoping that I have been of service, I am,

Sincerely,

/s/

Henry Marockie
State Superintendent of Schools

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Enclosure

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