JJA – Student Organizations (Secondary Schools) – Cherry Creek Schools Board of Education

Policy Statement

It is the policy of the Board of Education and the District to permit the organization and operation of student organizations in secondary schools.

Recognition of Student Organizations

Middle Schools (Grades 6-8) and High Schools (Grades 9-12): It is the policy of the District to encourage the organization and operation of curriculum-related, school-sponsored student organizations in the middle and high schools and to permit such organizations to meet on school premises during activity periods and noninstructional time. For purposes of this policy, noninstructional time is defined as time set aside by each school before actual classroom instruction begins or after actual classroom instruction ends. Lunch period is considered noninstructional time. The District also permits a limited open forum for student-initiated organizations in middle and high schools. A limited open forum exists whenever a school grants an offering to, or opportunity for, one or more noncurricular-related student organizations to meet on school premises during noninstructional time.

1. Noncurricular-Related Student Organizations

Students in middle and high school in this District shall be permitted to organize and conduct meetings of noncurricular-related student organizations to pursue specialized activities outside the classroom. Such organizations shall not be considered school-sponsored student organizations, nor be given all the privileges afforded to school-sponsored organizations. Requests for permission to conduct a noncurricular-related student meeting must originate from a student or a group of students. Persons not attending school in this District, parents, or any other non-school persons are prohibited from directing, conducting, controlling or regularly attending the activities of a noncurricular-related student organization. A member of the professional staff must be invited to attend every meeting or activity scheduled on school premises as a monitor for purposes of general supervision. Staff members are prohibited from directing, conducting, or controlling the activities of a noncurricular-related student organization. Students shall be responsible for ensuring the presence of a faculty sponsor prior to every meeting. School employees may be present at religious meetings of a noncurricular-related student organization only in a nonparticipatory capacity. Under no circumstances shall the school compel a faculty member or school employee to monitor or attend a meeting of a noncurricular-related student organization if the content of the speech at the meeting is contrary to the beliefs of the school employee.

1. Curriculum-Related Student Organizations

Students are encouraged to initiate curriculum-related student organizations which serve as an extension of the school curriculum. The function of these organizations is to enhance students' educational experiences and supplement the course materials within the educational program of the schools. The activities of these organizations must directly relate to the regular curriculum and the educational goals of the District. A student organization directly relates to the curriculum if:

1. 1. The subject matter of the organization is actually taught, or will soon be taught, in a regularly offered course;
  2. The subject matter of the organization concerns a body of courses as a whole;
  3. Participation in the organization is required for a particular course; or
  4. Participation in the organization results in academic credit.

Curriculum-related student organizations meeting the criteria of this policy and approved by the principal will be deemed to be officially recognized, school-sponsored student organizations. Approval may be subject to available funding. Any organization which fails to meet the criteria of this policy will be denied recognition as and the privileges of a curriculum-related student organization. Recognition of any curriculum-related student organization shall be in accordance with District procedures. Every recognized curriculum-related student organization shall be sponsored by one or more of the members of the school faculty, approved by the principal or his or her designee. Faculty sponsors shall be responsible for the supervision and direction of all activities of the curriculum-related organization, shall actively participate in planning and implementing the activities, and shall attend all meetings. Non-school persons may not direct, conduct, control, or regularly attend activities of curriculum-related student organizations.

Membership in Student Organizations

All student organizations are required to open membership to all interested and/or eligible students currently enrolled in the school where the organization exists on a voluntary basis. No student shall be denied membership based on his/her race, color, ancestry, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or need for special education services. Student organizations may establish academic qualifications for membership when related to the purposes of the organization. Fraternities, sororities, gangs and/or secret societies are prohibited under this policy. All forms of hazing and initiation shall be prohibited in student organizations.

Review of Student Organizations

The building principal shall periodically review the activities and purposes of student organizations and may revoke the authorization of any student organization to meet and use school facilities at any time upon his or her own initiative or on written complaint by any student or staff member if law, policy, or regulations have been violated or due to budget constraints. Such action may be appealed to the Superintendent or his or her designee. Student forums as a means of expression of opinion shall be permitted at the request of the student government at reasonable times and places provided by the administration so as not to interfere with school operations. Guest speakers may be invited by students subject to the approval of the building principal.

Compliance with Law and Policy

Student organizations shall not engage in any activity which is contrary to law, Board policy, or school regulations; which disrupts or clearly threatens to disrupt the orderly operation of the school, or which adversely affects the health, safety, or welfare of any students or staff members. Failure to comply with these provisions shall be grounds for revocation of the right to continue to conduct meetings under this policy. The District, through the building principal, retains the authority to prohibit meetings which otherwise would be unlawful. Further, nothing in this policy shall be construed to limit the authority of the school to maintain discipline on school premises, to protect the well-being of students and faculty, and to ensure that attendance at meetings is voluntary. Neither shall anything in this policy be used to imply that the school is sponsoring a noncurricular-related student organization. No public funding shall be extended to noncurricular-related student organizations other than that necessary to compensate faculty sponsors to the extent required by the applicable negotiated agreement and the opportunity for said student organizations to meet on school premises. In providing equal access to school facilities for all noncurricular-related student organizations, the District is not expressing any opinion or approval of the subject matter discussed at any meeting nor is it advocating or supporting in any manner the point of view expressed by any student or organization meeting as allowed by this policy. Noncurricular-related student organizations shall not be denied equal access to school facilities solely on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of any speech at such meetings.

Cross References:	JJA-R – Student Organizations (Secondary Schools)
	JICF – Secret Societies/Gang Activity
	JICF-R – Secret Societies/Gang Activity

Legal References:	20 U.S.C. 4071 et seq. (Equal Access Act)
	C.R.S. 22-1-117 (secret fraternities forbidden)
	C.R.S. 22-1-118 (board has power to enforce prohibition on secret fraternities)

Adoption Date: January 11, 1999 Last Revised: December 09, 2019