HomeMy WebLinkAbout3240 School-Sponsored Student PublicationsSTUDENTS
SCHOOL- SPONSORED STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
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Student publications produced as part of the school's curriculum or with the support of
student body or District funds are intended to serve both as vehicles for instruction as
well as for communications and self- expression but, are not considered a public forum.
Students' rights to free speech in the production of such publications must be protected
at the same time balancing the District's role in supervising written expressions and the
operation of public schools. Therefore, school- sponsored student publications shall be
subject to the school principal's /designee's and faculty advisor's approval, review, and
editorial control over the style and content of student journalism.
Guidelines
Faculty /Administrative Control
1. All student publications and other media productions shall be considered an
extension of classroom instruction and as such faculty advisors shall exercise control
over student expression to ensure that:
a. participants meet the academic and professional standards set forth by the
course of study and curriculum guides,
b. readers or listeners are not exposed to material that may be inappropriate for
their level of maturity,
c. views of the speaker are not erroneously attributed to the school or District,
d. participants comply with applicable State and Federal law and District policy.
2. Building principals /designees have the authority to determine the appropriateness of
any particular item for publication.
3. Faculty advisors or the principal /designee shall not censor any article merely
because of its controversial nature or because it is critical of the school or District.
Student Appeal
1. Students may appeal the building administrator's decision to the Superintendent/
designee in writing.
2. Within one (1) school day after receipt of the appeal, the Superintendent/designee
will review the request, render a decision, and inform the student of such.
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Content of Student Publications
1. Expressions and representations made by students in school- sponsored publications
are not an expression of official District policy.
2. Material appearing in school- sponsored publications should reflect all areas of
student interest, including topics about which there may be controversy and dissent.
a. Controversial issues may be presented provided they are treated in depth and
represent a variety of viewpoints.
b. Material that endorses political candidates or ballot measures is prohibited;
however fact sheets with regard to political candidates and ballot measures are
encouraged.
c. Matters regarding political controversy require a balanced presentation.
d. Published materials may not:
(1) be libelous or slanderous,
(2) be obscene to minors,
(3) be profane or vulgar,
(4) be biased or prejudiced,
(5) cause a material or substantial disruption of the school activity,
(6) substantially interfere with or infringe on the privacy rights of others,
(7) demean any race, religion, gender, or ethnic group,
(8) sponsor irresponsible sex,
(9) advocate drug or alcohol use, or
(10) advocate the violation of State or Federal law.
3. Advertising tobacco, liquor, illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia is prohibited.
Composition, Printing and Distribution of Student Publications
1. Only those student publications approved by the building principal /designee shall be
given school time for composition, printing, and distribution.
2. Official school publications may be distributed at reasonable times and locations and
in a reasonable manner in accordance with guidelines set by the building
principal /designee.
3. Copies of each issue shall be sent to the Superintendent/designee and members of
the Board of Trustees.
DEFINITIONS
Distribute or Distribution: means circulation or dissemination of material by means of
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handing out free copies, selling or offering copies for sale, accepting donations for
copies, posting or displaying material, or placing materials in internal staff or student
mailboxes.
Libelous or Slanderous: is a false and unprivileged statement about a specific
individual that tends to harm the individual's reputation or to lower that individual's
esteem of the community.
Material and Substantial Disruption of Normal School Activity: means:
Where the normal school activity is an educational program of the District for
which student attendance is compulsory, "material and substantial disruption" is
defined as any disruption which interferes with or impedes the implementation of
that program.
2. Were the normal school activity is voluntary in nature (including, without
limitation, school athletic events, school plays and concerts, and lunch periods)
"material and substantial disruption" is defined as student rioting, unlawful
seizures of property, conduct inappropriate to the event, participation in a school
boycott, demonstration, sit -in, stand -in, walk -out, or other related forms of
activity.
In order for expression to be considered disruptive, specific facts must exist upon
which the likelihood of disruption can be forecast, including past experience in the
school, current events influencing student activities and behavior, and instances of
actual or threatened disruption relating to the written material in question.
Minor: means any person under the age of eighteen (18) years of age.
Obscene to Minors: means:
1. The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find
that the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest of minors of
the age to whom distribution is requested;
2. The material depicts or describes, in a manner that is patently offensive to
prevailing standards in the adult community concerning how such conduct should
be presented to minors of the age to whom distribution is requested, sexual
conduct such as intimate sexual acts (normal or perverted), masturbation,
excretory functions, and lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
3. The material, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or
scientific value for minors.
Official School Publications: means school newspapers, yearbooks, material
produced in communication, or journalism of other writing classes as part of the
curriculum.
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School Activities: means any activity sponsored by the school including, but not
limited to, classroom work, library activities, physical education classes, official
assemblies and other similar gatherings, school athletic contests, concerts, school plays
and other theatrical productions, and in- school lunch periods.
Adopted 01 -10 -2007 Reviewed
Revised
Cross Reference: Controversial Issues and Academic Freedom #2340
School Yearbooks #2395
School Yearbooks Procedures #2395P
Freedom of Expression and Assembly #3320
Distribution of Nonschool- Sponsored Materials on School Premises #3245
Distribution of Nonschool- Sponsored Materials on School Premises Procedures
#3245P
Materials Distribution #3250
Sexual Harassment Intimidation of Students #3290
Harassment Reporting Form #3290F
Bullying, Hazing, Harassment, Intimidation, Menacing #3295
Bullying, Hazing, Harassment, Intimidation, Menacing Procedures #3295P
Harassment Reporting Form #3295F
Legal Reference: I.C. § 33 -512 Governance of schools
Bystrom v. Fridley High School, 822 F.2d 747 (8t" Cir. 1986)
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260, 108 S.Ct. 562, 98 L.Ed.2d
592 (1988)
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