SERIES 5000: STUDENTS, CURRICULUM, AND ACADEMIC MATTERS

5100 Student Rights

5101 Student Expression

The District will balance student speech and expression rights with its responsibility to

provide a safe, orderly learning environment.

Students may not engage in speech or expressive conduct that would materially and

substantially interfere with or disrupt school operations, including school activities and

educational programming. An actual disruption is not required before school officials

may regulate student speech or impose discipline if they can reasonably forecast a

substantial and material disruption or interference with school operations.

Students may be disciplined for speech or expressive conduct that: is materially and

substantially disruptive or that school officials can reasonably forecast will create a

substantial disruption; is obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, or lewd; promotes the use

of or advertises illegal substances; incites violence; contains “fighting words” or

constitutes a true threat of violence; involves a student walkout; urges a violation of law,

Board Policy, or rule; or is not constitutionally protected. Administrators will evaluate

student speech on a case-by-case basis, including the location, context, and nexus to

the school, before imposing discipline.

Student activism is subject to the above standards.

As used in this Policy, “fighting words” are words that tend to provoke a violent response

amounting to a breach of the peace.

Legal authority: U.S. CONST. amend. I; Const 1963, art I, § 5; Tinker v Des Moines

Indep Community Sch Dist, 393 US 503 (1969)

Date adopted: 08/09/2021



Date revised: 06/19/2023