801 - Equal Access To Facilities of Secondary Schools

I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to implement the Equal Access Act by granting equal access to secondary school facilities for students who wish to conduct a meeting for religious, political, or philosophical purposes during non-instructional time.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
     A. It is the policy of this school district not to deny equal access or a fair opportunity to, or to
         discriminate against, any students who wish to conduct a meeting, on the basis of the
         religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meetings.
     B. The school board has created a limited open forum for students enrolled in -secondary schools
         during which no-curriculum-related student groups shall have equal access and a fair
         opportunity to conduct meetings during non-instructional time.
     C. Student use of facilities under this policy does not imply school district sponsorship, approval,
         or advocacy of the content of the expression at such meetings.
     D. The school district retains its authority to maintain order and discipline on school premises, to
         protect the well-being of students and faculty, and to assure that attendance of students at
         meetings is voluntary.
     E. In adopting and implementing this equal access policy, the school district will NOT:
            1. influence the form or content of any prayer or other religious activity;
            2. require any person to participate in prayer or other religious activity;
            3. expend public funds beyond the incidental cost of providing the space for student-initiated
                meetings;
            4. compel any school agent or employee to attend a school meeting if the content of the 
                speech at the meeting is contrary to the beliefs of the agent or employee;
            5. sanction meetings that are otherwise unlawful;
            6. limit the rights of groups of students based on the size of the group;
            7. abridge the constitutional rights of any person.

Adopted: 1-23-2002; Revised: 7-9-2007; Reviewed: 6-13-2011

Download Full Policy: 801 - Equal Access To Facilities of Secondary Schools