Bill Clinton had a larger audience in Riviera Beach, Florida Monday, courtesy of Palm Beach County taxpayers.
A producer for my radio show, Bethany Bowra, was on hand at the event at the Port of Palm Beach Cruise Terminal and provided this account:
I was standing on the corner outside the Bill Clinton event in Riviera Beach, Florida, on Monday, when a school bus labeled “Palm Beach County District Schools #0253” pulled in filled with students wearing band uniforms and cheerleading outfits.
The kids got off the bus at the front of the event with their instruments and the bus left, only to return a few moments later with another bus load of students. The band played outside the event before it began, then moved inside and continued to play while the crowd waited for the event to begin.
Palm Beach County schools sends students to Bill Clinton rally. pic.twitter.com/AOB2GohV3y
— EAGnews.org (@EAGnews) February 16, 2016
The students seemed excited and eager to be a part of the event. They were smiling and enjoyed the incredibly loud music they got to play inside the small venue.
Following the former President’s speech, they even started a chant of “we want Bill!” to encourage him to come back out and sign more autographs.
They were certainly a spectacle– 99% of other attendees were old enough to be my grandparents.
Palm Beach County schools sends students to Bill Clinton rally. pic.twitter.com/hNkGFDIclC
— EAGnews.org (@EAGnews) February 16, 2016
Did taxpayers subsidize the Clinton rally? Is this policy for the Palm Beach County School District — or just for the employees’ preferred candidates?
After all, this wasn’t just an event with a former president.
It was intended to court voters for Hillary Clinton — the candidate endorsed by the teachers unions.
This Volunteer Staff badge clearly shows it was a sanctioned campaign event.
I’ve reached out to Dr. Linda Cartlidge, Principal, Suncoast Community High School; Dr. Camille Coleman, Area 4 Superintendent, The School District of Palm Beach County; and Dr. Robert Avossa, Superintendent, The School District of Palm Beach County, for answers.
So far none of them have gotten back to me. I’ll update this if they do.
UPDATE 12:32 p.m.: A response from Kathy Burstein, Media Relations Specialist for the School District of Palm Beach County:
The School District of Palm Beach County, by policy, does not allow students to perform at political events or rallies. This should not have happened, and it won’t happen again. We are looking into this.
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