9700 - RELATIONS WITH NON-SCHOOL AFFILIATED GROUPS

It is the policy of the Board that students, staff members, and District facilities not be used for advertising or promoting the interests of any non-school related agency or organization, public or private, without the approval of the District Administrator; 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 and AG 6605 - Crowdfunding.

No non-school affiliated group may use the name, logo, mascot, or any other name or slogan that 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 theDistrict Administrator. 

School 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

1. Materials or Activities
   
   All materials or activities proposed by outside organizations for student or staff use or participation shall be reviewed by the principal 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 permit the use of educational materials, programs, and equipment that contains commercial messages providing the content of such messages and the manner of presentation has been approved by the District Administrator and is in compliance with the District's administrative guidelines.
   
   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.
2. 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;
   5. cause the participants to leave the School District, unless:
       
      1. the Board's Policy 2340 - District-Sponsored Trips has been complied with in all aspects;
      2. the Board has granted special permission;
      3. the parents of a minor student have granted their permission.
3. 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.
   
   The District Administrator shall establish administrative guidelines which ensure that:
    
   1. criteria established in Policy 5722 - School-Sponsored Publications and Productions - are used to make a decision regarding materials that students seek to post or distribute;
   2. the school mail system is not used by students or staff for distribution of nonschool-related materials;
   3. no materials from any profit-making organization are distributed for students to take home to their parents; unless authorized by the District Administrator;
   4. the time, place, and manner of distribution of all nonschool-related materials are clearly established and communicated.
4. Solicitation of Funds
   
   Because the District cannot accommodate every organization that desires to solicit funds for worthy purposes, the Board shall not permit any organization not related to the District to solicit funds on District property.
   
   The Board disclaims all responsibility for the protection of, or accounting for, such funds.
   
   This policy does not apply to the raising of funds for District-sponsored or school-sponsored activities.
5. Prizes/Scholarships/Other Awards
   
   The Board is appreciative of the generosity of organizations that offer scholarships, prizes, or other awards to deserving students in this District.
   
   In the administration of scholarships, prizes, or other awards, the District shall not discriminate on the basis of any Protected Class consistent with Board Policy 2260 - Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity in any of its student program and activities.
   
   The District may administer or assist in the administration of scholarships, fellowships, or other forms of financial assistance established by a domestic or foreign will, trust, bequest, or similar legal instrument that requires the award to go to a student of a particular sex, race, color, national origin, or with a particular disability. Such restricted awards must not lead to discrimination in access to the total amount of prizes, scholarships, or other awards available.
6. Surveys and Questionnaires
   
   Distribution of Surveys and Questionnaires to Students is governed by Policy 2416 - Student Privacy and Parental Access to Information.

T.C. 3/14/24
T.C. 1/7/25

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