School-Sponsored Publications and Productions 

School-Sponsored Publications & Productions 

The Board of Education sponsors student publications and productions as means by which students learn, under adult direction/supervision, the rights and responsibilities inherent when engaging in the public expression of ideas and information in our democratic society.

For purposes of this policy, school-sponsored student media shall include both student publications and productions.  School-sponsored student media does not include student expression related to classes that are not directly associated with student publications/productions.  The term publication shall include the distribution, transmission, and dissemination of a student publication regardless of its medium.  Student publications shall include any written materials, (including, but not limited to, banners, flyers, posters, pamphlets, notices, newspapers, playbills, yearbooks, literary journals, books, and t-shirts and other school-sponsored clothing).

The term performance shall include presentation and broadcast of a student production.  Student productions shall include vocal, musical, and/or theatrical performance, impromptu dramatic presentations, or any electronic media (including, but not listened to, radio and television programs, videoblogs (vlogs), podcast, and other video or audio productions that are recorded for re-broadcast or broadcast in real time using any available broadcast technology).  The Board expressly prohibits the use of Social Media related to student productions.

Only District-approved social media (as defined in Bylaw 0100) may be used to host school-sponsored student media, in accordance with Policy 7544.  School-sponsored student media must also comply with Policy 7540.02.

For purposes of this policy, school community is defined to include students, Board employees (i.e., administrators, and professional and classified staff), and parent/family members.

The following speech is unprotected and prohibited in all school-sponsored student publications and productions: speech that is defamatory, libelous, obscene, or harmful to minors (as that term is defined in Children's Internet Protection Action (CIPA)); speech that is reasonably likely to cause substantial disruption of or material interference with school activities or the educational process; speech that infringes upon the privacy or rights of others; speech that violates copyright law; speech that promotes activities, products or services that are unlawful (illegal) as to minors as defined by State or Federal law; and speech that otherwise violates school policy and/or State or Federal law. The Board authorizes the administration to engage in prior review and restraint of school-sponsored publications and productions to prevent the publication or performance of unprotected speech.

Student expression relates to classrooms or educational settings not otherwise directly associated with school-sponsored student publications/productions are nonpublic forums.  As nonpublic forums, the content of such student expression can be regulated for legitimate pedagogical school-related reasons.  School officials shall routinely and systematically review and, if necessary, restrict the content of these student expressions prior to publication/performance in a reasonable manner that is neutral as to the viewpoint of the speaker.

Nonpublic forum student expression may be published/performed outside the school community (i.e., to the general public). See Board Policy 9160 – Public Attendance at School Events.

All other school-sponsored student publications and productions, including classroom and/or other curricular, or extra-curricular/club-related publications and/or productions, are nonpublic forums.  As nonpublic forums, the content of these other student publications and productions can be regulated for legitimate pedagogical school-related reasons.  School officials shall routinely and systematically review and, if necessary, restrict the content of all school-sponsored student media except those publications/productions listed above, prior to publication/performance in a reasonable manner that is neutral as to the viewpoint of the speaker.