Mt. Pleasant Public Schools
Administrative Guidelines
 

5722 - SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS/PRODUCTIONS

The objectives of school publications/productions in general are:

 A.to communicate to those who are actively interested in the school -- the students, the teachers, the parents, the administration, the alumni, and other members of the school community;
 B.to provide vehicles for the expression of student thought and action and to act as catalysts for helping students realize goals and objectives;
 C.to create a wholesome school spirit and to support the best traditions of the school;
 D.to promote and encourage school-sponsored activities;
 E.to provide training in useful and purposeful writing, speaking, artwork, design, photography, and layout;
 F.to create a desire for the best in all forms of production, both in and out of school;
 G.to record in permanent form the history of the school;
 H.to promote cooperation among taxpayers, parents, the school, and its students.

General criteria to be used in establishing a school publication are:

 A.School-sponsored publications must have the supervision of a qualified member of the faculty.
 B.School-sponsored publications must have a budget that is either self-sustaining or partially subsidized by the Board of Education funds. Their books shall be audited as any internal fund account is audited.
 C.Membership on the staff will not eliminate anyone on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, or national origin.
 D.The activity shall be controlled by a constitution for the purpose of operating under parliamentary procedures.
 E.Only District students shall be members of the staff.
 F.The meetings shall be limited to school time or extended school time.
 G.The publication shall be of value as a learning experience in the general field of education and shall have journalistic value.
 H.Approval of the principal will be contingent upon meeting all of the above requirements.

In implementing Board Policy 5722, the following guidelines will be applicable:

 A.Excellence in writing and/or speaking will be sought and the ethics of responsible journalism and/or literary merit will determine what will be produced. Presentation of facts or ideas is to be based on careful research.
 B.Students shall have the right to express their views and attitudes on all issues with the proviso that the tenor of the statements shall not encourage disruption of normal educational processes.
 C.Language, pictures, music, or symbols that are obscene, libelous, or offensive to good taste shall be avoided.
 D.Constructive criticism of the school, the District, other institutions, and/or social groups or practices is encouraged.
 E.A by-line shall accompany every printed article, story, or presentation.
 F.School publications/productions shall not endorse any candidate for public office or take a political stand on any issue.
 G.Advertisements shall reflect the spirit of these guidelines. Advertisements shall not be accepted that encourage or advocate violence or disregard of the law; promote the sale of any substance the use of which is prohibited by law, such as drugs and alcohol or of any paraphernalia associated with sex or drugs or any item that would be offensive to a significant minority or the majority of the community, or items not in keeping with school purposes.
 H.All material to be printed, performed or electronically produced is subject to review by the advisors and/or principal.

The duties of the faculty advisor and assistant advisors shall be:

 A.to serve in a liaison capacity between the staffs of the publications and the faculty and administration;
 B.to establish criteria and standards by which students can assess the quality of their production and their techniques;
 C.to instruct members of the publication or production staffs in proper design, journalistic, literary, and theatrical techniques;
 D.to advise, suggest, and edit when necessary;
 E.to interpret the foregoing guidelines.

Distribution:
 A.The means of distribution shall be through a classroom period as recommended by the publications staff and the faculty.
 B.Any other requests to distribute a written communication or to distribute materials from outside groups or solicit funds or advertisements must have the written permission of the principal.

Revised 10/00