KAAD-AP: Distribution & Posting of Non-Curricular Material in School
West Fargo Public Schools creates and distributes numerous publications to students, staff, and families on a regular basis. External organizations wishing to communicate services, products, or programs for these audiences must do so at the district-level with the Public Relations Department. No individual district-wide handouts or requests for inclusion in school newsletters are permitted.
For information geared toward elementary school students, noncurricular materials must be distributed through West Fargo Kid-Ventures. West Fargo Kid-Ventures is a monthly advertising catalog that is electronically distributed to the district’s elementary school families through the Blackboard Messaging System.
For information geared toward middle school students, noncurricular materials must be distributed through West Fargo Teen-Ventures. West Fargo Teen-Ventures is a monthly advertising catalog that is electronically distributed to the district’s middle school families through the Blackboard Messaging System.
For information geared toward high school students, noncurricular materials must be submitted to the high school student publications organization via the purchase of ad space in their student-generated publications. The high school counseling departments may advertise scholarship and collegiate information at their discretion.
For information geared toward staff, materials are reviewed and shared either in the district’s staff newsletter or on the district’s internal staff intranet.
Groups or individuals that attempt to compel or coerce a student, employee, or other individual on school property into accepting non-curricular materials shall lose all material distribution privileges. A school employee or student who interferes with the distribution of approved material shall be subject to disciplinary measures.
The district reserves the right to assess a fee to outside agencies wishing to advertise to students, families, or staff in the district publications. At the discretion of the Public Relations Department, the stated fee structure may be adjusted at the start of a new fiscal year and discounts may be offered to assist nonprofit agencies or encourage participation in the publications. Any established fee structure or discount will be publicly posted and applied to all eligible clients in an equitable manner.
APPROVAL PROCESS
Groups or individuals wishing to distribute non-curricular material shall submit the material in accordance with the parameters set forth by the Public Relations Department. The parameters are based on the intended audience (staff, elementary school students, middle school students, or high school students) and can be found on the district’s advertising webpage.
The Public Relations Department shall approve or deny the material. The decision to approve material shall not be based on the viewpoint expressed; however, material containing the following shall not be approved for dissemination:
- Attacks on ethnicity, race, religion, or other class protected by law;
- Promotes violence, terrorism, or other illegal activities, including, but not limited to, tobacco, drug, and/or alcohol use by minors;
- Is obscene or pornographic as defined by community standards;
- Is reasonably forecasted to materially or substantially disrupt the educational environment;
- Poses a direct threat to the physical safety of the school population.
- Infringes on the rights of others, such as (but not limited to) material that is potentially libelous or invades an individual’s privacy.
The Public Relations Department shall share with the requestor reasons for denying a non-curricular material distribution request and shall document any time, place, and manner restrictions that have been placed on an approved request.
Publication in a West Fargo Public Schools publication does not constitute school district endorsement of a program, product, or service. The Public Relations Department maintains the right to request a disclaimer be added to submitted materials indicating the district does not endorse, approve, or sponsor the activities, views, or events promoted in the material. This disclaimer shall be affixed in a prominent location on the material.
While a requestor’s desired distribution location and time will be taken into account, non-curricular material shall only be distributed in a location(s), manner, and time designated by the Public Relations Department. At a minimum, non-curricular material shall not be distributed in the classroom nor shall it be distributed in a time, place, and/or manner that violates state, federal, or controlling case law or substantially disrupts the educational process or environment. All time, place, and manner restrictions shall be reasonable and applied neutrally.
NON-APPLICABLE PROVISIONS
This policy does not apply to the pre-approved sale of goods on school property. The district has developed separate criteria governing this matter, which limits direct sales to those having a school-related purpose, which is consistent with the district’s mission statement.
This policy does not apply to district acceptance of paid advertising and third-party sponsorships. The district has developed separate criteria governing this matter, which requires advertisers and sponsors to have a purpose and/or mission consistent with the district’s mission.
Adopted: 07/12/16
Reviewed:
Revised: 03/31/20