JCBE/POLICY FILE: 348.5

Approved: 4/28/77

Revised: 3/25/82

Revised: 3/24/88

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

Because the Board recognizes creative student expression as an educational benefit of the school experience, it shall encourage freedom of comment, both oral and written, in the school setting with a degree of order in which proper learning can take place.

One medium of expression is student journalism and publication. Some student publications such as yearbooks and school-sponsored newspapers may be educational devices developed as part of the curriculum primarily to benefit those who compile, edit and publish them. Faculty advisors shall be assigned to guide students engaged in these activities. Any use of commercial advertisements in such publications shall conform to the regulations of JCBE/POLICY FILE: 831.31. Proceeds from the sale of ads shall be deposited to the account of the local school, subject to audit and budgeted through the proper channels.

Students' First Amendment rights to freedom of expression and protection of the law shall be observed in regard to all student publications, whether school sponsored or nonschool sponsored. The observance of these rights must be balanced against the duty of educating students in an orderly manner to protect the rights of all.

Students may be required to submit publications for approval prior to distribution. When approval is required, local officials must make available to students the standards which shall be used in determining the grant or denial of permission to distribute. Such guidelines shall be specific and shall be directed toward ascertaining which publications will cause substantial disruption of or material interference with school activities or intrusions into school affairs or the lives of others.

Prior restraint shall contain precise criteria spelling out what is forbidden so that a student will understand. A definite, brief time limit shall be set within which school officials must approve or disapprove distribution. The guidelines shall prescribe a procedure for appeals from students.

It shall be the responsibility of the local school officials to promulgate reasonable and specific regulations setting forth the time, manner and place in which distribution of student publications may occur.