2153: Non-Curriculum Related Student Groups

Pursuant to the Equal Access Act, the board authorizes non-curriculum-related student groups to meet before, after school or during non-instructional time, subject to the approval of the principal. Such approval will be granted provided that activities of the group are not disruptive to school operations and the members of the group comply with the rules established by the superintendent and/or school principal. The board authorizes the superintendent to develop administrative procedures to create or maintain this “limited open forum.” The principal will approve the non-curriculum-related student meeting or activity provided that:

1. The meeting will be voluntary and initiated by students;
2. The school or its staff will not be a sponsor of the group;
3. The meeting will not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly operation of the school;
4. Students will be responsible for the direction, control and conduct of the meeting. Guests must be registered and must not be regular participants;
5. The use of public funds for other than incidental and/or monitoring costs will not be permitted. Funds acquired by non-curriculum related student groups will be considered non-associated student body private moneys and will be held in trust in a separate account within an associated student body fund that will be accessible by that student group;
6. A staff member will not be compelled to attend when the meeting is contrary to his/her beliefs;
7. The constitutional rights and other legal rights of all persons will be respected; and
8. The activity is open to all students.

The principal will be responsible for the assignment of a room and for the approval and/or assignment of a staff member to monitor the meeting.

Cross References

• Board Policy 2150 Co-curricular Program

Legal References

• 20 U.S.C. 4071-4074 Equal Access Act
• Wash. Const. Art. I, § 11
• Wash. Const. Art. IX, § 4