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Board reviews MSBA-model policy on distribution of non-school materials; principals sought clarity
Summary
The board heard a first reading of Policy 505 (distribution of non-school-sponsored materials), a draft based on an MSBA model policy that would allow administration to review distribution requests case by case and always prohibit materials that are libelous, obscene to minors, promote illegal conduct or substantially disrupt school operations.
At first reading the policy committee presented Policy 505, a proposed district policy on distribution and posting of non-school-sponsored materials on school premises. Staff said the draft follows an MSBA model policy and would be new to the district.
Policy staff summarized key elements: the policy recognizes students and employees have free-expression rights but allows reasonable time, place and manner restrictions to preserve educational objectives; it defines distribution and posting, specifies categories of materials that are always prohibited (including libelous or slanderous material, materials "pervasively indecent or vulgar," material that advocates violence or illegal conduct, or material that would substantially disrupt school operations), and instructs administration to review requests on a case-by-case basis. Section 6 of the draft cross-references student-discipline procedures for any disciplinary steps.
Board members and staff noted principals asked for the policy because existing building-level practices varied. Director Thelander said principals "really wanted this for clarity in their buildings." Thelander and others suggested removing a sentence that would require a copy of the policy to be posted in school buildings; staff said they would revisit that language.
Director Parker raised two implementation questions for the committee to consider: how the draft would interact with the district's identity-harm protocol if a posted flyer was offensive but did not meet the policy's prohibited categories; and whether there should be different rules for materials distributed by staff or teachers given the power differential between staff and students.
Ending: The item was a first reading; staff will return to the policy committee to revise the draft language and bring it back for subsequent board consideration.
