5730 - EQUAL ACCESS FOR NONDISTRICT-SPONSORED YOUTH CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
The Board of Education will generally not permit the use of school facilities by nondistrict-sponsored youth clubs and activities or District-sponsored, extra-curricular clubs and activities during instructional hours, unless the activity will not interfere with instructional time for participating students. During noninstructional time, however, no group of students, regardless of the size of the group, will be denied an opportunity to meet on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the activity.
An application for permission for Nondistrict-Sponsored youth clubs and activities to meet on school premises shall be made to the School Principal, who shall grant permission provided that s/he determines that:
the activity has been initiated by students;
attendance at the meeting is voluntary;
no agent or employee of the District will promote, or lead;
the meeting does not unduly disrupt the orderly conduct of instructional activities in the school;
nonschool persons do not direct, conduct, control, or regularly attend the activity.
A youth-initiated group granted permission to meet on school premises shall be provided the same rights and access and shall be subject to the same administrative guidelines that govern the meetings of youth organizations sponsored by this Board, except as provided by this policy. Participation in a student-initiated meeting must be available to all students who wish to attend and cannot be denied on the basis of sex (including transgender status, change of sex, or gender identity), race, color, national origin, religion, creed, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other characteristic protected by Federal or State civil rights law (hereinafter referred to as "Protected Characteristics").
The Board will not permit the organization of a fraternity, sorority, or secret society. The Superintendent may exclude nonstudents from directing, controlling, or attending any such meetings of students.
A professional staff member may be assigned to attend a student initiated meeting in a custodial capacity but shall not be required to participate in the activity. No professional staff member shall be compelled to attend a student-initiated meeting if the content of the speech at the meeting is contrary to his/her beliefs.
Adults or community organizations who wish to sponsor a meeting or activity for students shall follow the procedure established in Policy 7510 – Use of District Facilities to request permission to use the District's facilities for such a meeting or activity. Adults who make such a request shall be required to provide a general description of the purpose of the meeting or activity, and participation in such a meeting must be available to all students who wish to attend and cannot be denied on the basis of a student's sex (including transgender status, change of sex, or gender identity), race, color, national origin, religion, creed, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other characteristic protected by Federal or State civil rights law (hereinafter referred to as "Protected Characteristics").
Furthermore, conducting such a meeting or activity during the school day may be permitted, provided it occurs during non-instructional time and parental permission is granted for any student wishing to participate.
The principal may take such actions as may be necessary to maintain order and discipline on school premises and to protect the safety and well- being of students and staff members.
© Neola 2015