The current campaign for Smithtown Central School District’s (CSD) two School Board seats has become somewhat mired in confusion as campaign literature for the opposition ticket has been distributed with CSD imagery and logos.
Candidates Dana Fritch and Emily Cianci are campaigning for the two seats held by incumbents Stacy Ann Murphy and Karen Wontrobski-Ricciardi who were elected to the Board in 2021. Door tags and mailers for candidates Fritch and Cianci have been distributed with the CSD logos, imagery, and wording.
The issue has caused confusion and criticism to that the point that Smithtown CSD Superintendent Dr. Mark Secaur issued a statement on the matter:
“It has come to my attention that the District’s symbol/logo has appeared on campaign materials in support of particular candidates for the upcoming election, without the District’s authorization. The School District and the Board of Education must avoid even the appearance of impermissible partisan activity with respect to the conduct of an election. While I have been informed that the candidates did not create the materials in question, they have been directed that they, and anyone acting on their behalf, are to cease and desist from using, displaying, advertising, producing, and/or selling any products which display the logo, symbol, device, and/or other identification of the District.”
In the team’s campaign Face-book account, the issue has been dubbed “logo-gate.”
“We understand that our opponents are concerned about the use of the district logo on materials that teachers have used to support our campaign,” the team said in a statement on Facebook. “We would like to remind voters that we did not create or distribute the subject materials and that our campaign materials use our custom logo.”
One mailer seen is addressed to “Smithtown Teachers” and advertises the opposition ticket alongside CSD logos and imagery.
The policies of campaigning with district imagery is subjective and based on jurisdiction, but is generally frowned upon as it appears to recipients that the district is endorsing a particular slate of candidates.
The School Board elections will be held on May 21 in just under two weeks.
