Policy 5.70

Student Publications

1. Purpose. -- The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines related to school-sponsored student publications. The School Board recognizes that providing opportunities for responsible student expression is an integral part of the public school program. It also recognizes its responsibility to the schools, students and community to ensure that school-sponsored publications which provide a vehicle for student expression are consistent with legal and regulatory requirements, board policies, civil discourse, responsible journalism and professional standards.

2. Policy. -- The contents of school newspapers, yearbooks, literacy magazines, video programs and digital media (e. g., online publications) leaflets, pamphlets, advertisements and other materials distributed to students or sponsored by the school shall conform to the same legal requirements as those imposed upon conventional newspapers and news media. Student publications and productions which are primarily financed by the school district, produced as part of the curriculum or as a school sponsored activity shall not be considered a public forum. The School Board authorizes the administration to edit or delete material which is inconsistent with law or our district's educational mission. No such item shall be distributed in any school which:

   1. can reasonably be interpreted as obscene to minors;

   2. can reasonably be interpreted as being libelous or slanderous;

   3. promotes unlawful activities;

   4. could reasonably be expected to create a material and substantial disruption of normal school activity or appropriate discipline in the operation of the school;

   5. violates intellectual property rights (i. e., copyright, patent, trademark, trade dress, trade secret, etc.);

   6. improperly interferes with or invades the privacy, or otherwise violates the rights, of students and/or staff; or

   7. is of a political or religious nature that states or implies that the school or any of its representatives are sponsoring or endorsing the content of the material.

3. Compliance with FERPA. -- Identification of students in student publications (e. g., newsletters, newspapers, yearbooks, multimedia, TV programs, and Internet and online services, etc. shall comply in all respects with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U. S.C. 123 g, as amended, and its interpretive regulations.

4. Prohibition of Commercial Distribution. -- Student publications may not be distributed commercially for the personal gain of any student(s) or district staff member(s) without the prior written approval of the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education. In the event that such publication is approved, signed Release and Consent for Student Information Publication Form www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/Records/PDF/1941.pdf must be obtained for all participants prior to production, and the publication may only be distributed and used as provided therein.

5. Responsibility of Principals. -- School Principals are responsible for ensuring the appropriateness of school-sponsored publications and that such publications conform with Board policy.

6. Delegation of Authority. -- The Superintendent is authorized to develop procedures for the implementation of this policy.