|
Littleton Public Schools Policy |
|
Policy Code JICEC Policy Name Student Distribution of Noncurricular Materials Adoption October 12, 2000 Revised June 18, 2009 |
To understand constitutional values such as the right to free speech, students must not only study such principles, but also have an opportunity to put them into practice. However, there are limitations on the right of student free speech in the school setting that have been upheld by the courts because of the unique nature of the school community.
It is the goal of this policy to strike a necessary balance between a student’s right of free speech and the school’s responsibility to maintain an orderly and safe school environment which respects the rights of all students on school grounds and during school-sponsored activities.
Students shall be allowed to distribute noncurricular written materials on school property subject to restrictions on time, place, and manner of distribution set out in the accompanying regulation and the prohibitions set out below and in state law.
Any material in any media containing expression that is obscene, libelous, slanderous, or defamatory shall be prohibited. Students shall not distribute any material which advocates commission of unlawful acts or violation of Board or District policy and/or regulations, violates another person’s right to privacy, causes a material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school, or threatens violence to property or persons.
Students who distribute or publish materials in any media, including online, in violation of this policy and/or materials in the school setting that cause a material and substantial disruption, damage to a person or property, or threaten violence to property or persons in the judgment of school officials, shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
School equipment and supplies shall not be used for publication of such material unless authorized as a school-sponsored activity.
This policy and the accompanying regulation shall be made available to all students and teachers at the beginning of each school year and included in all student handbooks.
Legal Reference: C.R.S. 22-1-120 (Rights of free expression for public school students)
C.R.S. 22-32-110 (1)(r) (Power to exclude materials that are immoral or pernicious)
Cross Reference: JICEA, School-Related Student Publications
JICED, Student Expression Rights
JK, Student Discipline, and subcodes
JS, Student Use of the Internet