Purpose
The Board respects the right of students to express themselves
in word or symbol and to distribute materials as a part of that expression,
but recognizes that the exercise of that right must be limited by the
need to maintain an orderly school environment and to protect the rights
of all members of the school community.
Authority
The Board reserves the right to designate and prohibit manifestations
of student expression, which are not protected by rights of free expression
because they violate the rights of others. Such expressions are those
which:
- libel any specific person or persons,
- seek to denigrate a particular religious denomination, sect, or point
of view,
- advocate the use or advertise the availability of any substance or
material which may reasonably be believed to constitute a danger to
the health of students,
- are obscene or contain material otherwise deemed to be harmful to
impressionable students who may receive them,
- incite violence, advocate the use of force or urge the violation of
law, school regulations, or the Student Code of Conduct,
- advertise goods or services for the benefit of profit making organizations
- solicit funds for non-school organizations or institutions when such
solicitations have not been approved by the Board.
The Board shall require that students who wish to distribute materials
submit them for prior review.
Student appeal from prior review shall be permitted to the Superintendent
or designee and the Board in accordance with district rules.
The Board shall require that distribution of printed materials take place
only at the places and during the times set forth in the rules and regulations
of this district order that such distribution not interfere with the orderly
operation of the schools.
Delegation of Responsibility
The Superintendent or designee shall develop procedures for the
distribution of printed material which shall include:
- procedures for the prior review of all material to be distributed.
Such procedures shall designate a reviewer, who shall bear the burden
of showing the material to be unprotected, require that the time consumed
by the review process not be so excessive as to constitute a prohibition
in itself, and delineate an appeal process,
- designation of the places at which and times during which the material
may be distributed,
- the requirement that students who distribute printed materials shall
be responsible for clearing any litter that results from their activity,
- disciplinary action for those students who distribute materials in
contravention of this policy and the rules of this district or who continue
the manifestation of an unprotected expression after a person in authority
orders that they desist.
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