It is the determination of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee that the principal mission of its schools is to educate the students entrusted to them; and it is the Committee’s Policy that the use of school property should be governed and guided by what is most conducive to that mission.
To the extent consistent with that primary mission, school property is sometimes made available for use by others, subject to established guidelines and regulations for such use. This Policy recognizes the responsibility of the Principal to oversee the operation of the schools,which includes overall supervisory responsibility for school-sponsored events which occur beyond regular school hours on school property. The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the procedures under which materials may be appropriately distributed at such events.
It is the Committee’s policy that while not prohibiting, nor in any way censoring on the basis of content, the distribution of written materials at these events, such distribution is subject to reasonable time, place and manner regulation by the Principal. Materials determined to be in violation of laws relating to libel and obscenity may not be distributed.
If approved by the Principal pursuant to this Policy statement,distribution shall comply with the directives of the Principal, as to the places, times and manner in which such distribution shall be permitted. Such directives shall provide meaningful, reasonable,visible access by those in attendance, but may be limited to designated tables or portions of the building determined by the Principal as not interfering with the principal function or assembly. It shall be presumed that in exercising the privileges of distributing written materials upon school property, ordinary principles of common courtesy and respect for those sharing use of the building will be shown.
In making such distribution, no loudspeakers or amplification devices shall be used, without the prior approval by the Principal, whose decision on the matter will be guided by the nature of the assembly and the degree to which he or she concludes that such systems will not disturb those using the building.
It shall be a condition of such approval that the source of the materials be conspicuously identified either on the materials themselves, or attached thereto, stating the name(s) and address(es) of the person(s) or organization(s) responsible for the materials to be distributed.
Materials determined by the Principal to be commercial advertising or to be solicitations for money shall not ordinarily be permitted on school property.
The Principal shall be responsible for the implementation of this Policy. Any materials distributed or which are left for distribution which the Principal determines to be in violation of this Policy, and which are not removed upon request, shall be removed by the Principal,and retained in the Principal’s office until reclaimed by the party responsible for such distribution. Any materials not reclaimed after ten days shall be discarded.
Any party aggrieved by the denial of approval by the Principal, or by conditions imposed in connection with approval, may appeal the Principal’s decision to the Educational Director; and any party aggrieved by the decision of the Educational Director may further appeal to the Superintendent.
Region Voted to Approve: 7/88
Amherst Voted to Approve:
Pelham Voted to Approve:
Effective Date: 7/88