Code Number: 503.13
Certain expressions, including expressions by students, are protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as state law. It is the policy of the District to allow such protected forms of expression in accordance with this policy. Accepting the expression of student opinion and allowing students to learn to express themselves, are important elements of education in a democratic society.
School-sponsored expression may be regulated to the extent reasonably related to legitimate educational concerns. Such expression must be appropriate to ensure that students learn and meet the educational goals of the District and to ensure that any potential audience is not exposed to speech (or other forms of expression) that may be harmful or inappropriate for their level of maturity. Such expression must be in compliance with applicable school rules and policy.
Further, the District prohibits any expression which:
- is obscene, indecent or vulgar;
- is libelous or slanderous;
- endangers the health or safety of another person;
- constitutes “fighting words,” the very expression of which injures, or invites retaliation or violence;
- constitutes bullying or harassment of a person based on that person’s race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, disability, socioeconomic status, physical attributes, political party preference, political belief, marital status, or veteran status;
- creates a reasonable belief, either because of its content or the manner of distribution or presentation, that it will cause a material interference with or substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school, or of school activities, or will encourage students to commit unlawful acts or violate lawful school regulations or codes of conduct;
- advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law.
The above examples are not meant to be exhaustive and nothing in this policy shall be construed to limit the District’s ability to place additional lawful restrictions or prohibitions on student speech or expression.
- First Adoption:
- 1994-09-13
- Revision Adoption:
- February 9, 1999/ September 9, 2003/ October 26, 2009/ June 10, 2013/ January 8, 2018
- Reviewed Dates:
- December 13, 2017
- Legal Reference:
- Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.22 (2013).