--- author: python-docx date: D:20131223231500Z --- ## 512 SCHOOL-SPONSORED STUDENT PUBLICATIONS AND ACTIVITIES ## (REDLINE PROPOSED REVISIONS) ## I. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to protect students’ rights to free speech in production of school-sponsored media and activities while at the same time balancing the school district’s role in supervising student publications and the operation of public schools. ## II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY A. Expressions and representations made by students in school-sponsored publications and activities are not expressions of official school district policy. Faculty advisors shall supervise student writers to ensure compliance with the law and school district policies. B. Students who believe their right to free expression has been unreasonably restricted in school-sponsored media or activity may seek review of the decision by the building principal. The principal shall issue a decision no later than three (3) school days after review is requested. ## III. DEFINITIONS A. “Distribution” means circulation or dissemination of material by means of handing out free copies, selling or offering copies for sale, accepting donations for copies, posting, or displaying material, or placing materials in internal staff or student mailboxes. B. “Material and substantial disruption” definition retained. C. “Minor” means any person under the age of eighteen (18). D. “Obscene to minors” definition retained. E. “School activities” means any activity of students sponsored by the school including, but not limited to, classroom work, library activities, physical education classes, official assemblies and other similar gatherings, school athletic contests, band concerts, school plays and other theatrical productions, and in-school lunch periods. F. "School-sponsored media" means material that is: 1. prepared, wholly or substantially written, published, broadcast, or otherwise disseminated by a student journalist enrolled in the school district; 2. distributed or generally made available to students in the school; and 3. prepared by a student journalist under the supervision of a student media adviser. ## INSERTED CLARIFYING LANGUAGE (PROPOSED ADDITION): •For purposes of this policy, school-sponsored media shall mean only those student media activities, publications, broadcasts, websites, digital platforms, social media accounts, or communication channels that are authorized or officially recognized by the school district or school administration and supervised by a designated student media adviser. •School-sponsored media may include, but is not limited to, student newspapers, broadcast journalism programs, student news websites, school-sponsored podcasts, student media social media accounts, and other officially authorized student media activities. •Independent student expression, including personal social media accounts, independently created websites, private digital communications, or unofficial student publications, does not become school-sponsored media solely because it discusses school-related matters, references the district or school, or is accessible online. •Use of district equipment, internet platforms, artificial intelligence tools, or discussion of school-related matters alone does not establish school sponsorship. School-sponsored media does not include material prepared solely for distribution or transmission in the classroom in which the material is produced, or a yearbook. G. "Student journalist" means a school district student in grades 6 through 12 who gathers, compiles, writes, edits, photographs, records, or otherwise prepares information for dissemination in school-sponsored media. H. "Student media adviser" means a qualified teacher, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.16, that the school district employs, appoints, or designates to supervise student journalists or provide instruction relating to school-sponsored media. IV. GUIDELINES and remaining policy language retained as drafted. NOTE: The red insertion language is placed immediately after Section III.F.3 and before the existing exclusion sentence regarding classroom-only material and yearbooks.