Policy

Chester Policy No. 1140

Board of Education Distribution of Materials

By Pupils and Staff

DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS BY PUPILS AND STAFF

Students shall be permitted to carry home publications that are directly related to education and/or not for profit or community sponsored activities (“community” is defined as the West Morris Regional District; including Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, and Washington Township). All such materials must be approved by the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee.

Pupils shall not be used to distribute partisan materials or partisan information pertaining to a school or general election, budget or bond issue, or negotiations.

No staff member may distribute materials on school property without prior approval of the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee.

All surveys, questionnaires, or other similar items requiring pupil or parent/guardian response shall be reviewed and approved by the Superintendent/designee prior to distribution. The Superintendent/designee shall solicit written permission from parents/guardians before students participate in surveys or research that requests personal information as set out by Federal law.

Publications from the following sources may be sent home with students when requested:

· Board of Education and Administration

· Chester Borough and Chester Township Recreation

· Educational Foundation of the Chesters

· Municipal Government (that do not state political issues)

· PTO

· Scouts

· Community Service Clubs/Organizations

· West Morris Regional High School District

When non-school sponsored information is sent home via students, the publication should indicate such with a statement “Not A School Sponsored Activity”. If the Superintendent of Schools deems a publication does not fall within the parameters of this policy, the request for distribution through students will be denied. If the organization wishes to appeal that denial, such an appeal must be put in writing to the Chester Board of Education for review at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Date Revised: April 18, 2005

May 11, 2004

Date Adopted: November 21, 2000

Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A:42-4 Distribution of literature as to candidacy, bond issues, or other

public question to be submitted at election; prohibited

N.J.S.A. 19:34-6 Obstructing or interfering with polling place or voter

N.J.S.A. 19:34-15 Electioneering within or about polling place; misdemeanor

34 CFR 98.1 - Pupil Protection Rights Amendment

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988)

Cross References: 1100 Communicating with the public

1315 Distribution of materials to pupils and staff

1322 Contests for pupils

4135.16 Work stoppages/strikes

4235.16 Work stoppages/strikes

5136 Fund-raising activities

6142.10 Technology

6145.3 Publications

6162.5 Research