Except as limited by law and by school policy and regulations, the students of the South Tama County School District are protected in their exercise of freedom of expression in official school publications. “Official school publications” means material produced by students in the journalism, newspaper, yearbook, publications, or writing classes and distributed to the student body either free or for a fee.
It is the policy of the South Tama Community School District that all official school publications shall be free from prior restraint by school officials except that – students shall not express, publish, or distribute any of the following:
A. Materials which are obscene.
B. Materials which are libelous or slanderous under Chapter 659 of the Code of Iowa.
C. Materials which encourage students to do any of the following:
- Commit unlawful acts.
- Violate lawful school regulations.
- Cause the materials and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.
Student editors of official school publications shall assign and edit the news, editorial, and feature contents of their publications subject to the limitation of this policy. Faculty advisors of students producing official school publications shall supervise the production of the students to maintain professional standards of English and journalism, and to comply with Iowa law. Students and faculty publication advisors shall be responsible for the content of official student publications. They shall be guided in their judgment by the Iowa Code and by ethical standards adopted by professional associations or societies of journalism and education. Attention should be paid to the standards of the community.
Student expression in official school publications is not an expression of school policy. Public school districts and employees or officials are not liable in any civil or criminal action for any student expression made or published by students, unless the school employees or officials have interfered with or altered the content of the student’s speech or expression, and then only to the extent of the interference or alteration of that speech or expression.
It is the policy to encourage the resolution of complaints from anyone who feels aggrieved by student expression in official school publications by having individuals follow the student complaint process outlined in board policy. The same route of appeal is provided for a student who feels aggrieved by the actions involved in writing or creating the school publication.
Official student publications may be distributed in a reasonable manner on or off school premises. Distribution in a reasonable manner will not encourage students to commit unlawful acts; violate school rules; cause the material and substantial disruption of the orderly and efficient operation of the school district or school activity; disrupt or interfere with the education program; interrupt the maintenance of a disciplined atmosphere; or infringe on the rights of others.
(February 17, 1992, March 15, 2010; March 21, 2011; January 19, 2015; August 19, 2019)