Last Monday, local conservative radio talk show host Victoria Taft began blasting away at Portland Public Schools, claiming that school equipment was being used illegally to support a political cause. Her evidence: An email sent to all PPS employees announcing the Presidents’ Day rally in Salem sponsored by Stand For Children, which was an effort to get the legislature to budget more money for schools.

In her typically measured, free-of-hyperbole way, she called the children who were there “human props” who were used to “extort more money for teachers.” She also claimed that kids were “bused from all over the state along with teachers, staffers, et. al. to go to Salem,” and asked, “if they can waste money for use of staff time, computers, mailings, etc to help organize themselves before the event, then why do we need more money for schools again?”

(You can read more about her tirade here and here.)

On her blog, though, she only posted the header of the email, and refused to post the entire email. After the jump, though, I’ve got an explanation from the employee who sent it, plus state law showing it wasn’t illegal, plus the full email. Consider yourself informed, and consider Victoria Taft to be, once again, flat-assed wrong. (She’s also said before that it would be cheaper for the City of Portland to buy every poor person a car than to build the street car, just so you know what her record is like.)

The email, titled "Monday Rally for schools attracts 1,000+ from Portland, 6 School Board members," was sent by Sarah Carlin Ames, the communications person for PPS. She explained to me--in a lengthy email and voice message (thanks, Sarah)--that this was sent on her day off, but even if she'd sent it from work, it was in no way illegal.

State law prevents public employees from engaging in "political campaigning"--but "the law is very clear that public employees' work time (and public resources) may not be used to advocate for or against a ballot measure or candidate," she wrote. "This was neither--a rally to advocate for funding from the Legislature. Clearly entirely legal, if you check the election law."

In case you're curious, the law is explained in this handy two-page guide put out by the Secretary of State's office, which explains that the law is specific to candidates and ballot measures. Of course, a three-minute bit of internet research would have pulled that up for dear Victoria--but using "facts" to back up wild claims isn't exactly her strong suit.

Also, Ames says, no public funds were used to bus the children to Salem--all transportation was donated. She generously chalked up Taft's outburst as an "an honest political disagreement about the appropriate level of school funding."

And now, for those of you still paying attention, here's the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad email, which was sent as a "media advisory":

MEDIA ADVISORY

More than 1,000 Portland parents and students and six members of the Portland School Board will join thousands more to rally at the State Capitol Monday on behalf of all Oregon schools.

The noontime Presidents Day Rally, organized by Stand for Children, will call for a $6.3 billion state budget for K-12 education. The proposed 2007-08 Portland schools budget, based on that level of state funding, allows Portland schools to start adding music, PE and the arts back into the standard curriculum, adds 24 counselors at large elementary and K-8 schools and continues and expands programs to help high school students succeed.

On Monday, parents, students and community members will board buses across the city, with 14 buses leaving from PPS schools and six from Portland State University.

Portland School Board Co-Chairs Dan Ryan and Bobbie Regan and Board Directors Doug Morgan, Trudy Sargent, Dilafruz Williams and David Wynde are participating in the Salem rally. (Ryan and Regan also will be in Salem Sunday to participate in the Oregon School Boards Association’s legislative conference.)

The rally is co-sponsored or endorsed by a roster of 12 business, community and education organizations.

For general information on the rally or to participate, go to www.stand.org/or/2007rally/ or call 503.235-2305.

For more information about the Portland Public Schools budget, go to www.pps.k12.or.us.