Policy 3220 - Student Publications

The free expression of student opinion is an important part of education in a democratic society. Students’ verbal and written expression of opinion on school premises is to be encouraged so long as it does not substantially disrupt the operation of the school or violate this policy. Students are expressly prohibited from the use of vulgar and/or offensive terms in the classroom or assembly settings. 

Definitions 

1. “School-sponsored media” means any matter that is prepared, substantially written, published, or broadcast by student journalists, that is distributed or generally made available, either free of charge or for a fee, to members of the student body, and that is prepared under the direction of a student media advisor. It does not include media that is intended for distribution or transmission solely in the classrooms in which they are also produced. 
2. “Student journalist” means a student who gathers, compiles, writes, edits, photographs, records, or prepares information for dissemination in school-sponsored media. 
3. “Student-media adviser” means a person who is employed, appointed, or designated by the school to supervise, or provide instruction relating to, school-sponsored media. 

Student Publications 

Student publications produced as part of the school’s curriculum or with the support of the associated student body fund serve both as vehicles for instruction and student communication. Student editors are responsible for determining the news, opinion, feature, and advertising content of the media, consistent with chapter 28A.600 RCW. Publications may reflect various areas of student interest, including contentious topics. When engaging with a contentious topic, publications will work to provide in-depth treatment and represent a variety of viewpoints. Such materials may not: 

1. Be libelous or slanderous; 
2. Be an unwarranted invasion of privacy; 
3. Be obscene or profane, such that it would violate federal or state laws, rules or regulations or incites others to violate federal or state laws, rules or regulations, including the standards established by the federal communications act or applicable federal communication commission rules or regulations; 
4. Rouse students so as to create a clear and present danger of the material and substantial disruption of the school; 
5. Violate district policy or procedure related to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or related to the prohibition on discrimination pursuant to RCW 28A.642.010 
6. Violate federal or state laws, rules, regulations or cause the violation of such laws; or 
7. Advertise tobacco products, liquor, illicit drugs, or drug paraphernalia. 

The superintendent will develop guidelines assuring that students are able to exercise free expression of opinion while maintaining orderly conduct of the school, implementing the standards above and establish procedures for the prompt review of any materials that do not comply with the standards. 

Distribution of Materials 

Only students and staff may distribute student publications or other materials on school grounds in accordance with procedures developed by the superintendent. 

Students responsible for the distribution of material that leads to substantial disruption of school activity or operations will be subject to corrective action. 

Legal References:

Adoption: