NORMAL - When Melissa Larson's first grade son came home from school telling her that if she "paid more on her house" he could have a nicer classroom, she wondered what he was talking about.

Reece Larson, 6, had spent the day with his classmates and teacher in the model classroom at Oakdale Elementary School. It has been equipped with new technology, new lighting, windows, carpeting, desks and other items to show what classrooms in older Unit 5 schools will look like if district voters approve a tax increase in the Feb. 5 primary election.

Larson wasn't aware of the room and its purpose, and felt she should have known before her child because she is the voter in the family. She wasn't comfortable with the issue until she spoke with Superintendent Gary Niehaus. He reassured her that the teachers would be made aware of her concerns and told to make sure they weren't unintentionally electioneering.

"We are not about to use kids to sell our referendum," Niehaus said.

Niehaus said he doesn't believe the model classrooms, which cost about $40,000 each, violate ethics. He said it would be more unethical if Unit 5 only built new schools to accommodate growth, and didn't upgrade current schools.

"I think we're doing the right thing," Niehaus said.

About $14 million in renovations would be done at eight elementary schools, including Oakdale, if voters support a $96.7 million project on the Feb. 5 ballot. The project also includes building three new schools, expanding one, and security and technology improvements to 15 schools.

If it doesn't pass, renovations will be done over a longer period of time as funding allows, Niehaus said.

A second question calls for a 10-cent increase to the education fund for operating expenses. If both pass, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $170 more.

Illinois statutes prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to promote votes. The statutes also prohibit public employees from engaging in prohibited political activities on compensated time, or using public resources in connection such activities.

Unit 5's own ethics policy prohibits staff from soliciting votes regarding a referendum question or candidates. Employees are prohibited from intentionally performing any prohibited political activity during any compensated time or intentionally using school district property or resources in connection with such activities.

The key word is "intentionally" said Assistant State's Attorney Eric Rudd.

If the teacher simply answered children's questions about the room, it isn't electioneering. On the other hand, if the teacher drilled into them what they should say to their parents that would violate the code of ethics, Rudd said.