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Board adopts policy language clarifying student speech covers media as well as publications
Summary
On second reading the Owatonna Public School District board approved policy revisions that reiterate student First Amendment protections and update language from 'publication' to 'media' to account for electronic student expression.
The board approved second-reading revisions to district policy that, according to a board member, mainly "reiterate a student's right to First Amendment rights" and clarify that student expression previously described as "publication" now includes "media." The language change intends to reflect that student speech appears in electronic formats as well as traditional student newspapers.
During discussion board members asked how the District Curriculum Advisory Committee (DCAC) input is transmitted and were told the director of teaching and learning serves as the liaison and brings committee recommendations forward. The superintendent cautioned that assessment measures such as MCAs should be used alongside other district tests for a fuller view of student achievement, noting in one example that not all students took the math MCA and non-participation can skew percentages.
After discussion the board moved, seconded and adopted the revisions at the second reading. The board said the policies will return for routine follow-up and that the district will continue to ensure practice aligns with policy language.
