Policy 4600 - Spectator Conduct and Sportsmanship

The Richland School District Board of Directors believes that school sponsored and approved extracurricular activities are an important part of the school program and offer student the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities not offered during the regular school day. Such activities are provided for the enjoyment and the involvement they afford the students as enrichments and extensions of the basic educational program. Extra-curricular activities are intended to support the District mission. 

Spectators are encouraged to attend school sponsored or approved extracurricular activities as guests of the school district. As guests, they must comply with the school district’s rules and policies. Spectators will not be allowed to interfere with the enjoyment and instructional benefit of the participating students, the enjoyment of other spectators, or the duties of officials or the event management personnel. Spectators, like the student participants, are expected to display mature behavior and sportsmanship. The failure of spectators to do so is disruptive, sets a poor example for students, and interferes with the District’s mission. 

To protect the rights of students to participate without fear of interference and to permit the sponsors and officials to perform their duties without interference, the following provisions are in effect: 

1. Abusive, verbal or physical conduct of spectators directed at participants, officials, staff members, sponsors or other spectators will not be tolerated. 
2. Verbal or physical conduct of spectators that interferes with the performance of students, staff members, officials, sponsors or other spectators will not be tolerated. 
3. The use of vulgar, obscene, or demeaning language directed toward students, officials, staff members, sponsors or other spectators will not be tolerated. 
4. If a spectator becomes physically or verbally abusive, uses vulgar, obscene, or demeaning language, or in any way impedes the performance of an activity, the individual in charge of the event may remove the spectator from the event. The principal may recommend to the superintendent the exclusion of the spectator at future sponsored or approved extracurricular activities. 

Upon recommendation of the principal, the superintendent may cause a notice of exclusion from sponsored or approved extracurricular activities to be sent to the spectator involved. The notice shall advise the spectator of the school district’s right to exclude the individual from school district activities and events and the duration of the exclusion. The spectator will be provided with an opportunity to meet with the superintendent to appeal the decision. This appeal process will be detailed in the letter of exclusion. 

If the spectator disobeys the school official or district’s order, law enforcement authorities will be contacted and asked to remove the spectator. If a spectator has been notified of exclusion and thereafter attends a sponsored or approved extracurricular activity, the spectator shall be advised that his/her attendance will result in prosecution. The school district may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion from future school sponsored or approved activities. 

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Adoption: