The Board of Trustees believes that student organizations reinforce the instructional program, give students practice in democratic self-government and provide social and recreational activities. Student organizations also serve to honor outstanding student achievement and enhance school spirit and students' sense of belonging.
(cf. 1321 - Solicitation of Funds from and by Students)
(cf. 1325 - Advertising and Promotion)
(cf. 3452 - Student Activity Funds)
The Superintendent or designee shall establish criteria and a process for school sponsorship of student clubs.
All student-initiated groups at secondary schools shall be given equal access to meet on school premises during noninstructional times without regard to their religious, political, philosophical or other speech content. (20 USC 4071)
(cf. 1330 - Use of School Facilities)
(cf. 3515.2 - Disruptions)
(cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)
All student clubs or groups shall have equal access to the school media, including the public address system, the school newspaper, and the school bulletin board, to announce meetings. The Superintendent or designee may inform students that certain groups are not school-sponsored.
No school shall deny equal access or a fair opportunity to meet to, or discriminate against, any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, or with any other youth group listed as a patriotic society in Title 36 of the United States Code, for reasons based on the membership or leadership criteria or oath of allegiance to God and country. (20 USC 7905)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
52 Designation of secondary schools
53 Designation of high schools
200-262.3 Prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex
48900 Hazing
48930-48938 Student organizations
48950 Freedom of speech
49020 Athletic programs: Legislative intent
49021 Equal opportunity for male and female students
49022 Apportionment of funds for male and female students
49023 Expenditure of public funds; prohibited sex discrimination
PENAL CODE
245.6 Hazing
627-627.10 Access to school premises
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
2 Definitions
5531 Supervision of extracurricular activities of pupils
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
4071-4074 The Equal Access Act
7904 School prayer
7905 Boy Scouts equal access
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 36
20101-240112 Patriotic organizations
COURT DECISIONS
Culbertson et al. v. Oakridge School District, (2001) 258 F.3d 1061
Good News Club et al. v. Milford Central School, (2001) 121 S.Ct. 2093
Ceniceros v. Board of Trustees of the San Diego Unified School District, (1995) 66 F. 3d 1535
Board of Education of Westside Community School District v. Mergens By and Through Mergens (1989, 8th Cir.) 867 F.2d 1076, affd. (1990) 496 U.S. 226
Perumal et al v. Saddleback Valley Unified School District, (1988) 198 Cal. App. 3d 64
Student Coalition for Peace v. Lower Merion School District Board of Directors, (1985) 776 F.2d. 431
Hartzell v. Connell, (1984) 35 Cal. 3d 899
Management Resources:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Religious Expression in Public Schools: Statement of Principles, Richard W. Riley, 1995, rev. 1999
WEB SITES
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
Policy CENTRAL UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: March 14, 2006 El Centro, California