RELATIONS WITH NON-SCHOOL AFFILIATED GROUPS | Policy Manual

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 Superintendent; 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 Superintendent. 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 Superintendent.

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

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 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.
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.
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 principal.

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 Superintendent.

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.

The Board disclaims all responsibility for the protection of, or accounting for, such funds.

Solicited funds are not to be maintained in any regular or special accounts of the District.

A copy of this policy, as well as the relevant administrative guidelines, shall be given to any individual granted permission to solicit funds on District property.

This policy does not apply to the raising of funds for District-sponsored or school-sponsored activities.
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 race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex (including gender status, change of sex, or gender identity), or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability (Protected Classes) in any of its student program and activities.

Administration of scholarship or award programs appropriately designated under this policy to benefit individuals in a particular group that has not traditionally been represented does not violate this policy.

It will be the District's practice to provide all outside agencies and organizations notification of the nondiscrimination policy in awarding prizes, scholarships, or other aids, benefits, or services.

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.

In accepting the offer of such scholarships or prizes from non-District entities or persons, the Board directs that these guidelines be observed:
1. No information, either academic or personal,
  
  shall be released from the student's record for the purpose of selecting a scholarship or prize winner without the permission of the student who is eighteen (18), or the parents of a student who is younger in accordance with the Board's policy on student records.
2. The type of scholarship or prize, the criteria for selection of the winner, and any restrictions upon it shall be approved by the Superintendent.
3. The principal, together with a committee of staff members designated by the principal, shall be involved in the selection of the recipient and, if agreeable to the sponsoring organization, the selection shall be left entirely to the principal and staff committee.

The District will periodically review its procedures for awarding scholarships, prizes, and other awards. This review will require that the District's procedure does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, or disability in the overall effect of the scholarships, prizes, and other awards given to students.

Sale of School Supplies

In determining the appropriateness of the sale of school supplies by organizations other than the School District, the Board requires that:
1. the organization have a purpose that will benefit the School District and its students;
2. the organization's planned activities are clearly in the best interest of the School District and its students;
3. the organization has submitted the following information and assurances on the form provided by the District: a statement noting the purpose of the organization, financial accountability assurances, and use of facility assurances.

All funds generated by the sale of such school supplies shall be kept separate from other activity funds or other transactions of the Board.

Surveys and Questionnaires

Distribution of Surveys and Questionnaires to Students is governed by Policy 2416 - Student Privacy and Parental Access to Information.

Revised 4/13/10
T.C. 11/12/24
T.C. 2/17/25