Code:  IB

Readopted:  2/26/18, 10/24/23

Adopted: 11/17/08

Orig. Code(s):   IB

Students have a general right to freedom of expression within the school system.  The district requires that students exercise their rights fairly, responsibly and in a manner not disruptive to other individuals or to the educational process

Freedom of Student Inquiry and Expression

1. Generally, students and student organizations are free to examine and discuss questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately within the school system, provided such examination and expression is fair and responsible and is not disruptive to other individuals or to the educational process. Students may support or oppose causes by orderly means which do not disrupt or harm other individuals or the operation of the school.
2. In the classroom, students are free to examine views offered in any course of study, provided such examination is expressed in a responsible manner.

Freedom of Association

Students are free to organize associations to promote their common interests.  These associations should be open to all students.  Membership criteria may not exclude students on the basis of age, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, marital status, familial status, parental status, linguistic background, culture, socioeconomic status, capability, geographic location, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.  Each student organization must have a staff advisor to counsel and, when necessary, supervise students in the organization.  All student organizations must submit to the school a statement of purpose, criteria for membership, rules and procedures and a current list of officers.  School administrators may establish rules and regulations governing the activity of student organizations.

Publications, Displays and Productions

On occasion, materials such as leaflets, newsletters, cartoons and other items including displays and productions are prepared, produced and/or distributed by students as part of the educational process and free expression in an academic community.  Materials may be reviewed by administration, and may be restricted or prohibited pursuant to legitimate educational concerns.  Such concerns include:

1. The material is or may be defamatory;
2. The material is inappropriate based on the age, grade level and/or maturity of the audience;
3. The material is poorly written, inadequately researched, biased or prejudiced;
4. Whether there is an opportunity for a named individual or named individuals to make a response;
5. Whether specific individuals may be identified whether or not the material uses or gives names;
6. The material is or may be otherwise generally disruptive to the school environment.  Such disruption may occur, for example, if the material uses, advocates or condones the use of profane language or advocates or condones the commission of unlawful acts;
7. Students, parents and members of the public might reasonably perceive the materials to bear the sanction or approval of the district;
8. The material is prohibited by the district Student Family Resources Handbook.

High School Student Journalists

Generally, high school student journalists have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press in school sponsored media.   

“Student journalist,” for the purpose of this policy, means a student who gathers, compiles, writes, edits, photographs, records or prepares information for dissemination in school-sponsored media.

“School-sponsored media” means those materials that are prepared, substantially written, published or broadcast by student journalists, that are distributed or generally made available, either free of charge or for a fee, to members of the student body and that are prepared under the direction of a student media advisor. School-sponsored media does not include media intended for distribution or transmission solely in the classrooms in which they are produced.

School-sponsored media prepared by student journalists are subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions, pursuant to federal law.  School-sponsored media cannot contain material that:

1. Is libelous or slanderous
2. Is obscene, pervasively indecent or vulgar;
3. Is factually inaccurate or does not meet journalistic standards established for school-sponsored media;
4. Constitutes an unwanted invasion of privacy;
5. Violates federal or state law or regulation; or
6. So incites students as to create a clear and present danger of:
   1. The commission of unlawful acts on or off school premises;
   2. The violation of district or school policies; or
   3. The material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.  A school official will base a forecast of material and substantial disruption on specific facts; including past experience in the school and current events influencing student behavior; and not on undifferentiated fear or apprehension.

Modifications or removal of items may be appealed in writing to the superintendent or designee.  The superintendent or designee shall schedule a meeting on or before 10 school days after receiving the written appeal. Those present at the meeting shall include the individual(s) making the appeal, the individual(s) who made the decision to modify or remove materials, and the superintendent or designee.  At the superintendent’s or designee’s discretion, the district’s legal counsel may also attend the meeting. The superintendent or designee shall make a decision on or before 10 school days after the meeting. The superintendent or designee’s decision shall be final and binding on all parties.

END OF POLICY

                                                                                                                                                                           

Legal Reference(s):

ORS 174.100
ORS 332.072
ORS 332.107
ORS 336.477
ORS 339.880
ORS 339.885
ORS 659.850

OAR 581-021-0050
OAR 581-021-0055

Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 4071-4074  (2018).
Westside Cmty. Bd. of Educ. v. Mergens, 496 U.S. 226 (1990).
Hazelwood Sch. Dist. v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).
U.S. Const. amend. I; U.S. Const. amend. XIV.
OR Const., art. I, § 8.

Cross Reference(s):
IGDA - Student Groups
INB - Studying Controversial Issues