1140

Community Relations

Distribution of Materials by Students (Use of Students)

The Board recognizes that students, employees, parents or citizens may want to distribute materials within the school district that are non-curricular. Non-curricular materials to be distributed must be approved by the building Principal and meet certain standards prior to their distribution.

Budget/Referendum Materials

Information concerning a budget or referendum, specifying only the time, date, location, and question or proposal may be disseminated through the students. This information may not contain statements, or be written in a manner which may advocate a position on the budget or on a referendum question.

(cf. 3152   Spending Public Funds for Advocacy)

Legal Reference:  Connecticut General Statutes

9-369b Explanatory text relating to local questions.

Policy adopted:  May 16, 2006

1140

Community Relations

Printed Matter Sent Home with Students

Schools and other organizations wishing to send home printed matter through New Hartford students shall submit such printed matter to the building Principal. The building Principal will make the initial decision regarding whether or not such distribution conforms with Board of Education policy.

The Principal has the following options:

1.  Distribution of the printed matter through the students and/or

2.  Posting of material on bulletin boards, or

3.  Refusal to distribute material or to display it.

Any appeal from the building Principal s decision shall be made to the Superintendent of Schools. Further appeal shall be in the form of a letter to the Board of Education.

Printed matter originating from the Parent Teacher Organization may be sent home with the students. However, such notices, etc. shall be related to the education, health, or safety of the children or to programs or functions sponsored by the Parent Teacher Organization. Should the building Principal feel that the number of such notices is so great as to become cumbersome, he/she should make an effort to alleviate the problem by discussing it with representatives of the PTO.

Distribution of printed matter originating from organizations operated for private gain or any purpose involving private gain is allowed under the condition that such distribution will not benefit principally the organization which is operated for private gain and that there shall be a substantial benefit to the students arising out of such distribution.

Distribution of printed matter originating from non-profit organizations outside the community will be allowed when a substantial portion of the New Hartford community will be benefited by such a distribution.

Printed matter distributed to whole classes or to the entire student body through students by teachers should be approved by the building Principal in advance of the distribution, so that he/she may remain informed regarding school activities.

Printed matter which will directly or indirectly benefit a political party or candidate will not be distributed or displayed.

Legal Reference:  Connecticut General Statutes

9-369b Explanatory text relating to local questions.

Regulation approved:  May 16, 2006