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 nonschool related agency or organization, public or private, without the approval of the Board; 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 the District 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.

1. Materials or Activities
   
   All materials or activities proposed by outside organizations for student or staff use or participation shall be reviewed by the District Administrator on the basis of the proposed activities or materials educational contribution to part or all of the school program and/or 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 contain 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.

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 - Student 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
   
   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 District Administrator.
   
   Decisions regarding the request to solicit funds shall not be based on the purpose of function of the group soliciting the 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.
   
   Permission to solicit funds will be granted only to those organizations or individuals who meet the permission criteria established in the District's administrative guidelines. Solicitation must take place at such times and places and in such a manner as specified in the administrative guidelines. In accordance with Board Policy 5830 - Student Fund-Raising, no District student may participate in the solicitation without the District Administrator's approval.
   
   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.

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.
   
   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 principal.

The District will periodically review their 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.

6. Surveys and Questionnaires
   
   Distribution of Surveys and Questionnaires to Students is governed by Policy 2416 – Surveys, Analyses, Evaluation.

Revised 10/24/16
Revised 11/27/17
Revised 3/12/18
Revised 6/21/21
Revised 11/15/21
T.C. 10/23/23
T.C. 1/14/25

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