5722 - SCHOOL-SPONSORED STUDENT PUBLICATIONS AND PRODUCTIONS

The School Board 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 online form including but not limited to Apps and Services (as defined in Bylaw 0100), webpages/sites, weblogs ("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"), podcast, Social Media (as defined in Bylaw 0100) and other video or audio productions that are recorded for re-broadcast or broadcast in real time using any available broadcast technology) and other video or audio productions that are recorded for re-broadcast or broadcast in real time using any available broadcast technology). 

Only Corporation-approved social media (as defined in Bylaw 0100) may be used to host school-sponsored student media, in accordance with Policy 7544. School-sponsored student media also must comply with Policy 7540.02.

For purposes of this policy, "school community" is defined to include students, School Corporation employees (i.e., administrators and professional and classified staff), and parent/family members to view a performance or receive directly from the Corporation a publication and those who have been issued credentials to access the Corporation'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 the 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.

While ordinarily nonpublic forum student expression may be published/performed only to members of the school community, the Superintendent may authorize specific nonpublic forum student expression to be published/performed outside the school community (i.e., to the general public). A teacher, student, or group of students who wish to have nonpublic forum student expression published/performed outside the school community must submit to the Superintendent a request for prior written approval for such publication/performance. See Board Policy 9160 – Public Attendance at School Events.

The Board designates the following official, school-sponsored student media to be limited-purpose public forums: PawPrint (LMS Newspaper, LES, LMS, & LHS Yearbook, LMS & LHS Social Media, Musical, and Choir & Band Performances.

As limited-purpose public forums, the student journalist, content-creators or performers associated with the above-listed publications and/or productions may address matters of concern and/or interest to their readers/viewers. The student journalists, content-creators and/or performers involved in the above-listed publications/productions have the right to determine the content of this student media. While designated as limited-purpose public forums, the listed publications/productions are not intended to address general matters of public concern and are not open to public comment.

School officials will not routinely and systematically restrict content of the publications and/or productions listed above prior to their publication/performance; however, school officials may review the content and reject an article/posting/publication/production due to one (1) of the following four (4) reasons:

1. where poor grammar or writing is evident;
2. where a legitimate question of age appropriateness of the material exists;
3. where matters beyond the limited scope of the forum are included; and/or
4. where the content involves unprotected speech.

The above-listed school-sponsored student publications/productions, while limited-purpose public forums, are not intended to address general matters of public concern and therefore are not open to public comment.

The listed publications and or production shall contain a notice to the reader/viewer that the material, while school-sponsored, is student directed and subject only to limited prior review. Given the listed student publications and/or productions have been designated as limited-purpose public forums, the school assumes no liability for the content beyond that covered by the school officials' limited prior review, and with editorial control comes responsibility. Student journalists, content-creators and performers are expected to establish and enforce standards for their publications/productions that are consistent with professional journalism/artistic/theatrical/broadcast standards.

While ordinarily school-sponsored student media may be published/performed only to members of the school community, the following student media may be published/performed outside the school community (i.e., to the general public): PawPrint (LMS Newspaper, LES, LMS, & LHS Yearbook, LMS & LHS Social Media, Musical, and Choir & Band Performances.

Advertising is permitted in PawPrint (LMS Newspaper, LES, LMS, & LHS Yearbook, LMS & LHS Social Media, Musical, and Choir & Band Performances.

Any advertisements must be consistent with Policy 9700.01.

Advertisements submitted for publication or inclusion in a production shall be reviewed by the class/activity advisorfor a determination that they are appropriate for juveniles. The Board 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.

Revised 10/21/17
T.C. 3/19/24

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