RELATIONS WITH NON-SCHOOL AFFILIATED GROUPS | Policy Manual

9700 - RELATIONS WITH NON-SCHOOL AFFILIATED GROUPS

It is the policy of the Board of Education that students, staff members, and District facilities not be used for advertising or promoting the interests of any nonschool related agency or organization, public or private, without the approval of the Board and any such approval, granted for whatever cause or group, shall not be construed as an endorsement of said cause or group by this Board. All crowdfunding activities are subject to Policy 6605 - Crowdfunding.

No non-school affiliated group may use the name, logo, mascot, or any other name which would associate an activity with the District without the specific written permission of the District Administrator. Additionally, no non-school affiliated group may use any assets of the District, including but not limited to facilities, technology, or communication networks without the specific written permission of the District Administrator.

District Referendum Advocacy

This policy applies expressly to any outside organization's advocacy concerning School District referenda. Any such organization, whether advocating in favor of or in opposition to a referendum question must clearly identify themselves as independent of the School District and may not, under any circumstances, use School District logos, mascots, slogans or other such items that are protected by or regularly used and identified with the District. School District officials may not advocate for a position on a referendum in any manner in which such advocacy is in the individual's capacity as a School District official or may reasonably be perceived as such. School District officials may always provide factual information concerning any referendum question.

Other Activities by Non-School Affiliated Groups

Materials or Activities

All materials or activities proposed by outside organizations for student or staff use or participation shall be reviewed by the District Administrator on the basis of the proposed activities or materials educational contribution to part or all of the school program, benefit to students; and no such approval shall have the primary purpose of advancing the name, product, or special interest of the proposing group.

The Board shall not permit the use of any type of educational material, program, or equipment in its curricular, co-curricular, or extra-curricular activities or at any time during the school day if such materials, programs, or equipment contain partisan political or commercial messages or are designed to persuade students or staff members to acquire a particular product or service offered by a named individual, company, organization, association, or agency. Professional staff may, however, utilize political materials or those provided by special interest-groups in adopted courses of study with the approval of the principal.

Outside speakers representing commercial organizations will be welcome only when the commercial aspect is limited to naming the organization represented and the subject matter advances the educational interests of the District's students.
Contests/Exhibits

The Board recognizes that contests, exhibits, and the like may benefit individual students or the District as a whole, but participation in such special activities may not:
1. have the primary effect of advancing a special product, group, or company;
2. make unreasonable demands upon the time and energies of staff or students or upon the resources of the District;
3. interrupt the regular school program;
4. involve any direct cost to the District unless the student body as a whole derives benefit from such activities.

Distribution/Posting of Literature

Non-school affiliated organizations may distribute or post literature on District property either during or after school hours only with advance permission of the District Administrator.

Staff or students may be permitted to distribute/post literature regarding or on behalf of non-school sponsored organizations or activities, in such a manner as described in this policy and in a manner that does not disrupt or interfere with educational activities and is not done in a manner that conveys the message of endorsement or approval of the school or District of the group or message.

Solicitation of Funds

Any outside organization or staff member representing an outside organization desiring to solicit funds on school property must receive permission to do so from the District Administrator.

Decisions regarding the request to solicit funds shall not be based on the purpose or function of the group soliciting funds, unless the purpose of the organization is inappropriate for the age group of students, promotes activity that is unhealthy or unlawful, or is otherwise inconsistent with the pedagogical interests of the school.

Revised 3/15/21