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 non-curricular written materials on school property subject to restrictions on time, place and manner of distribution set out in the accompanying regulations and the prohibitions set out below and in state law.
Any material in any media containing expression which 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 policy and/or regulations, which violates another person's right to privacy, which causes a material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school, or which threatens violence to property or persons.
Students who distribute materials in violation of this policy and/or materials that cause a material and substantial disruption or 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 regulations shall be included in all student handbooks.
Adoption Date: October 10, 2000
Last Revised: September 11, 2000
| Cross References: | JICEA - School-Related Student Publications |
| JICED - Student Expression Rights | |
| JK - Student Discipline | |
| KHC - Distribution/Posting of Promotional Materials | |
| Legal References: | C.R.S. § 22‑1‑120 (Free Expression for Public School Students) |
| C.R.S. § 22-32-110 (1)(r) (Board of Education - Specific Powers - Exclusion of Immoral Materials) | |