The material in question was a flier advertising an Aug. 24 "Back-to-School Town Meeting" at the Kearns Skating Oval co-hosted by U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon and Kearns state Rep. Eric Hutchings, who are both Republicans up for re-election. The flier suggests that parents come with questions and ideas and bring their kids to skate, promising "skate rental will be paid for by the attending elected officials."

At least two elementary schools in Kearns received the announcement via e-mail. But only one - Silver Hills Elementary - printed it and sent it home with students in a "first day pack."

Alerted to the flier by complaints from a parent, Chuck McDowell, who also happens to be running against Hutchings, Granite School District officials have since cautioned school principals to get district approval before distributing any written material to students other than official or PTA communications.

"Schools are not distribution points. Kids are there to learn and if kids bring something home to parents, it ought to be important and education-related," said Martin Bates, assistant district superintendent.

District policy allows schools to distribute governmental agency announcements with district approval. Bates wouldn't say whether he would have approved the Cannon-Hutchings flier without knowing more about the purpose of the meeting.

Cannon's chief-of-staff, Joe Hunter, characterized the event as a routine neighborhood chat about education issues and other topics. In addition to Cannon and Hutchings, Republican Salt Lake County Commissioner Mike Jensen attended the meeting.

"These are official events. You have to remember that officials are officials even if it's an election year," said Hunter. "This had nothing to do with the campaign."

Hutchings concurred, noting no campaign funds were used to rent the facility.

"We made it abundantly clear to everyone this is not a campaign meeting - no signs, no handouts, no stickers," said Hutchings. "I guess there was some confusion [at the schools] about whether a congressman is a government agency."

McDowell, Hutchings' Democratic opponent whose son is enrolled at Silver Hills, said he doesn't want to make a federal case of the affair.

But calling the flier "a thinly disguised political ad" and "totally inappropriate," McDowell said, "Some things aren't illegal. They just stink."

Cannon's Democratic opponent, Beau Babka, said of the flier, "On face value it looks very political and I don't know that that's the best way to get those pamphlets out."

kstewart@sltrib.com