Committee backs revised student journalism policy despite concerns about state law alignment

The policy committee voted 7–1 to forward revisions to Policy 512 (school-sponsored student publications and activities) to the full school board after discussing legal limits created by Minnesota’s student journalism statute. Committee materials included written guidance from Terry Morrow, attorney for the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA), summarizing changes tied to Minnesota Statute 121A.80, enacted in 2024. Morrow’s memo explained subdivision 3 of the statute, which narrows permissible prior restraint and lists categories of unprotected student expression (for example, defamation, threats, harassment, invasion of privacy, and material and substantial disruption of school activities). The MSBA guidance said deleting the word “expresses” was intended to avoid unintentionally prohibiting student journalists who report on or oppose certain speech. Several committee members voiced concern that removing language in the policy could put the district at odds with statute requirements. Staff pointed out the policy’s posting requirement: the district “must adopt a student journalism policy consistent with Minnesota Statutes 121A.80 and post it on the district website.” Committee discussion acknowledged both legal exposure — the district could face litigation for either over-restricting or under-restricting student expression — and protections offered by existing adviser review processes for school publications. After debate, the committee approved forwarding the revised Policy 512 to the school board by a recorded vote of 7 in favor and 1 opposed.