West Clermont Local School District
Administrative Guidelines
 

3231A - POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

One of the primary purposes of the school is to create an environment that will permit students to grow and develop. To be of maximum effect, this environment must extend to both the formal academic program as well as to the many extra-curricular activities sponsored by the school. Because of the ages of the students and the significance of the task, it is important that this environment be protected from interference by external, sometimes coercive or disruptive, forces and influences that do not substantially contribute to the learning process.

Nonschool related activities, including political activities, do not contribute to a positive learning climate and may be disruptive, divisive and distracting. Therefore, such activities are not appropriate within the school setting. It is the Board of Education's intention to regulate such activities on all Board owned or used property, within all school buildings, and at all school sponsored activities.

Specifically:

 A.Literature supporting or opposing one or more candidates, issues, or a particular point of view; commercial literature; and other nonschool related literature shall not be distributed on or in Board owned or occupied buildings or grounds, inside of school buildings or on school buses immediately before or after school or while school is in session. (The distribution of materials to students by other students is governed by the regulations contained in Board Policy).

 B.Literature supporting or opposing one or more candidates, issues, or a particular point of view; commercial literature; and other nonschool related literature shall not be distributed at school sponsored extra-curricular activities or athletic events wherever they may occur. This regulation shall not prohibit the distribution of literature outside of the entrances and exits of athletic events provided that any such distribution does not interfere with the ability of individuals to freely enter or leave the facility, is not disruptive, and does not take place when school is in session.

 C.Nonschool related, political, and/or commercial literature, or campaign posters supporting one or more candidates, issues or a particular point of view shall not be displayed within the schools or on school owned or occupied property, unless done as part of an approved teaching unit.

 D.When the school facilities are used as a polling place, State regulations will be followed with respect to political activities, the display of political posters, and distribution of political literature on school property.

© Neola 2006