5722 - SCHOOL-SPONSORED PUBLICATIONS AND PRODUCTIONS
The Board of Education sponsors student publications and productions as means by which students learn, under adult direction/supervision, the rights and responsibilities inherent when engaging in the public expression of ideas and information in our democratic society.
For purposes of this policy, "school-sponsored student media" shall include both student publications and productions. School-sponsored student media does not include student expression related to classes that are not directly associated with student publications/productions. The term "publication" shall include distribution, transmission, and dissemination of a student publication regardless of its medium. "Student publications" shall include any written materials, (including, but not limited to, banners, flyers, posters, pamphlets, notices, newspapers, playbills, yearbooks, literary journals, books, and t-shirts and other school-sponsored clothing), as well as material in electronic or on-line form (including, but not limited to, Apps and Services (as defined in Bylaw 0100, webpages/sites, web logs ('Blogs"), video or audio clips, (postings of Social Media (as defined in Bylaw 0100), and newsletters of announcements transmitted by e-mail,text, wireless broadcast, or other similar distribution/dissemination). The "term performance" shall include presentation and broadcast of a student production. "Student productions" shall include vocal, musical, and/or theatrical performance, impromptu dramatic presentation, or any electronic media (including, but not listed to, radio and television programs, videoblogs ("vlogs"), and podcasts),
For purposes of this policy, "school community" is defined to include students, Board employees (i.e., administrators, and professional and classified staff), parent/family members and other individuals who are authorized or otherwise permitted by the Superintendent to view a performance or receive directly from the District a publication and those who have been issued credentials to access the District's secure portal.
The following speech is unprotected and prohibited in all school-sponsored student publications and productions: speech that is defamatory, libelous, obscene or harmful to minors (as that term is defined in Children's Internet Protection Action (CIPA)); speech that is reasonably likely to cause substantial disruption of or material interference with school activities or the educational process; speech that infringes upon the privacy or rights of others; speech that violates copyright law; speech that promotes activities, products or services that are unlawful (illegal) as to minors as defined by State or Federal law; and speech that otherwise violates school policy and/or State or Federal law. The Board authorizes the administration to engage in prior review and restraint of school-sponsored publications and productions to prevent the publication or performance of unprotected speech.
Student expression relates to classrooms or educational settings not otherwise directly associated with school-sponsored student publications/productions are nonpublic forums. As nonpublic forums, the content of such student expression can be regulated for legitimate pedagogical school-related reasons. School officials shall routinely and systematically review and, if necessary, restrict the content of these student expressions prior to publication/performance in a reasonable manner that is neutral as to the viewpoint of the speaker.
Nonpublic forum student expression may be published/performed outside the school community (i.e., to the general public).
All school-sponsored student media are nonpublic forums. While students may address matters of interest or concern to their readers/viewers, as nonpublic forums, the style and content of the student publications and productions can be regulated for legitimate pedagogical, school-related reasons. School officials shall routinely and systematically review and, if necessary, restrict the type and/or content of all school-sponsored student media prior to publication/performance in a reasonable manner that is neutral as to the viewpoint of the speaker. Legitimate pedagogical concerns are not confined to academic issues but include the teaching by example of the shared values of a civilized social order, which consists of not only independence of thought and frankness of expression but also discipline, courtesy/civility, and respect for authority. School officials may further prohibit speech that is grammatically incorrect, poorly written, inadequately researched, biased or prejudiced, vulgar, or profane, or unsuitable for immature audiences.
School-sponsored student media may be published/performed outside the school community (i.e., to the general public).
Students shall not be disciplined and/or retaliated against for exercising and/or asserting their free speech rights as defined in this policy. Nothing in this policy, however, restricts the Board's ability to impose post-publication/performance discipline related to a student engaging in the impermissible publication/performance of unprotected speech.
Advertising is permitted in all school-sponsored student media.
Any advertisements must be consistent with Policy 9700.01.
Advertisements submitted for publication or inclusion in a production shall be reviewed by school officials for a determination that they are appropriate for juveniles.
The Superintendent retains the final authority to determine whether an advertisement is appropriate and will be included in a publication/production. Advertisements may be rejected for legitimate pedagogical school-related reasons unrelated to the viewpoint of the advertiser (e.g., the advertisement encourages action that would endanger the health and safety of students).
General Prohibitions
Regardless of their status as non-public or limited-purpose public forums, the Board prohibits publications, productions, and advertisements that:
- promote, favor, or oppose any candidate for election or the adoption of any bond issue, proposal, or question submitted at any election;
- solicit funds for non-school organizations or institutions when such solicitation has not been approved by the Board.
© Neola 2021