7412 - School Sponsored Student Expression

Policy: School Sponsored Student Expression	Policy Number: 7412
Date of Original Policy: 12/09/2015	Date Revision Adopted: 01/19/2022
Reviewed by Policy Committee: 10/17/2018	Date of Next Review: 12/09/2024
Replacement of Policy Number: 7411

The Board of Education encourages student expression in its many forms, some examples include school newspaper, yearbook, literary magazine, concerts, shows, and art exhibits.  The Board believes these activities are an important part of student learning and enrich the life of the school community.  The school newspaper, for example, is an important part of the school not only because it offers an educational activity through which students gain experience in reporting, writing, editing, and understanding responsible journalism, but also because it provides an opportunity for students to express their views  in a responsible manner.  Each school-sponsored activity offers unique opportunities for students to engage in creative and educational modes of expression.

All school-sponsored opportunities for student expression will comply with the rules set forth in this policy and in the Code of Conduct. Libelous statements, unfounded charges and accusations, obscenity, false statements; materials or performances advocating racial or religious prejudice, hatred, violence, the breaking of laws and school policies and/or regulations; or materials or performances designed to disrupt the educational process will not be permitted.

In addition, the school-sponsored activities listed above are not considered public forums. In such cases, the Board reserves the right to edit or delete such student expression which it believes is inconsistent with the district’s basic educational mission.  

Procedural Due Process

When a student(s) presents material for inclusion in a school sponsored publication to a school official with authority over the school publication, the school official must review and make a decision on inclusion in the publication within two (2) school days of submission of the material to him/her. If publication is denied, the student(s) may appeal the decision to the Building Principal. If the principal agrees with the decision to withhold approval, the principal must state the reasons in writing and provide the students with a copy of the reasons within two (2) school days of the receipt of the appeal. The aggrieved student(s) may within two (2) school days appeal in writing to the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent must issue a written decision within two (2) school days after receiving the appeal.

    
Morse v. Frederick, 127 S. Ct. 2618 (2007)
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, ¬484 US 260, 108 S. Ct. 562, (1988) (limits on student free speech rights in school-sponsored student
publications)
Bethel School District v. Fraser, 478 US 675 (1986)
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School Dist., 393 US 503, (1969) (limits on student free speech rights in school setting)
Thomas v. Board of Education, Granville Central School Dist., 607 F. 2d 1043 (1979)
Trachtman v. Anker, et al., 563 F 2d 512 (1977)
Frasca v. Andrew et al., 463 F Supp 1043 (1979)
Matter of Beil and Scariati, 26 EDR 109 (1986)