Publications And Distribution
(Board Policy 7-315)

School-Sponsored Media

School-sponsored publications, productions, and websites are governed by the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act and the School Board policies. Student journalists may not use school-sponsored media that:

1. Is libelous, slanderous, or obscene;
2. Constitutes an unwarranted invasion of privacy;
3. Violates federal or State law, including the Constitutional rights of third parties; or
4. Incites students to:
5. Commit an unlawful act;
6. Violate any of the District’s policies, including but not limited to (1) its educational mission in Board Policy 1-30, School District Philosophy, and (2) speech that is socially inappropriate or inappropriate due to the maturity of the students pursuant to Board Policies 6-65, Student Social and Emotional Development, and 7-180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment; or 
7. Materially and substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school.

All school-sponsored media shall comply with the ethics and rules of responsible journalism. Text that fits into numbers one (1) through four (4) above will not be tolerated and school officials and student media advisers may edit or delete such media material.

The author’s name will accompany personal opinions and editorial statements. An opportunity for the expression of differing opinions from those published/produced will be provided within the same media.

No expression made by students in the exercise of freedom of speech or freedom of the press under this policy shall be deemed to be an expression of the District or an expression of Board policy.

Non-School Sponsored Publications Accessed or Distributed On-Campus

For purposes of this section and the following section, a publication includes, without limitation: (1) written or electronic print material, (2) audio-visual material, on any medium including electromagnetic media (e.g., images, MP3 files, flash memory, etc.), or online (e.g., any website, social networking site, mass email database for information retrieval, etc.), or (3) information or material on electronic devices (e.g., data or voice messages delivered by cell phones, tablets, and other handheld devices).

Creating, distributing, and/or accessing non-school sponsored publications shall occur at a time and place and in a manner that will not cause disruption, be coercive, or result in the perception that the distribution or the publication is endorsed by the School District.

Students are prohibited from creating, distributing, and/or accessing at school any publication that:

1. Will cause substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities;
2. Violates the rights of others, including but not limited to material that is libelous, invades the privacy of others, or infringes on a copyright;
3. Is socially inappropriate or inappropriate due to maturity level of the students, including but not limited to material that is obscene, pornographic, or pervasively lewd and vulgar, contains indecent and vulgar language, or sexting as defined by School Board policy (7-190 AP6) and Student Handbooks;  
4. Is reasonably viewed as promoting illegal drug use; or
5. Incites students to violate any Board policies.

Accessing or distributing “on-campus” includes accessing or distributing on school property or at school-related activities. A student engages in gross disobedience and misconduct and may be disciplined in accordance with Board Policy 7-190, Student Behavior, for: (1) accessing or distributing forbidden material, or (2) for writing, creating, or publishing such material intending for it to be accessed or distributed at school.

Students and student groups may communicate with others by posting and/or distributing materials in designated areas of the school with administrator approval. Consideration must be given both to the quantity and quality of the materials. Students must assume responsibility for timely removal of all materials. District 113 administrators have been vested with the authority to prohibit student communication which is obscene, libelous or contains contents which could substantially disrupt or materially interfere with school activities or with the rights of others.

Non-School Sponsored Publications Accessed or Distributed Off-Campus

A student engages in gross disobedience and misconduct and may be disciplined for creating and/or distributing a publication that: (1) causes a substantial disruption or a foreseeable risk of a substantial disruption to school operations, or (2) interferes with the rights of other students or staff members.

Bullying and Cyber-Bullying

The Superintendent or designee shall treat behavior that is bullying and/or cyberbullying according to Board Policy 7-180, Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment, in addition to any response required by this policy.

The school administration provides varied and meaningful channels of communication to facilitate student expression. Determination of the appropriateness of specific actions remains a responsibility of the school administration.

Freedom of expression should be consistent with the legal responsibility of the Board of Education to provide education for all eligible students in this school district. Actions by students that interfere with this responsibility will not be tolerated.

Advertising, Promotion, Collections, and Fundraising  

Students or others who wish to advertise, promote, make collections, or fundraise / solicit money for any activity, whether or not the activity is sponsored by the school, must request approval through the Director of Student Activities. If approval is granted, all advertising, promotion, collections, or fundraising / solicitations must be consistent with school rules and School Board policies. Flyers may not be placed on automobiles on school property by any organization.