Skip to content

AA425 – Printed Materials—Speech and Manners

  • Effective: 10/6/1970
  • Revision: 8/23/2022

  1. Board Directive
    It is the policy of the Board of Education that the principal shall work with his/her faculty and student officers to develop a wholesome environment with reference to school publications and all printed material published within the school or from any source that might be distributed in or about the school; also with reference to speech and manners of students, personnel, visitors or guests.
    The Board recognizes the educational value of proper and wholesome resources in the nature of individual personalities, business and institutional publications and the many materials of local, state, and national agencies.
  2. Administrative Policy
    1. The property, parking lots, sidewalks, facilities of Jordan School District and the publications of Jordan School District are a closed forum, to be managed in the best interests of the students and patrons as determined by the Jordan School District Administration and local school principals.
    2. School Publications and Printed Materials
      The Board places the responsibility for school publications and distribution of any materials with the local school administration. Therefore, printed material of any nature shall not be distributed on the school premises without the consent of the school principal.

      1. Flyers, handbills, or other printed materials which are not either approved by the principal or sponsored by the District are prohibited and may not be posted or distributed on school property or placed in mail boxes that are provided for school staff.
      2. All publications shall be free of any lewd, wanton, or lascivious writings or pictures and shall not promote illegal substance use. There shall be no publications of a nature that would ridicule, defame, belittle, or otherwise injure the character of any individual or group. Material that is reasonably anticipated to substantially interfere with the work of the school or impinge upon the rights of other students is unacceptable for general distribution.
      3. Jordan School District will not accept or publish public political advertising on ballot initiatives, constitutional amendments, and candidates for election. The Board may publicize its position on initiatives and other matters sponsored by the Board or having a direct bearing on the education of students in Jordan School District.
    3. Student Distribution Process
      1. Any student wishing to distribute non-school sponsored material outside of classes or club meetings must first submit for approval a copy of the material to the principal or principal’s designee at least six (6) working days in advance of desired distribution time, together with the date(s) and time(s) of day intended for distribution and the requested location for material to be distributed.
      2. Within three (3) working days, the principal or principal’s designee will review the request and render a decision. In the event that permission to distribute the material is denied or limited, the person submitting the request should be informed in writing of the reasons for the denial or limitation. The request can only be denied for reasons outlined in section II.B.2.
      3. If the principal does not approve the material for distribution, the student may submit a written request for appeal to the Superintendent or designee. A decision will be made within three (3) working days of submitting the appeal.
      4. Permission or denial of permission to distribute material does not imply approval or disapproval of its contents by either the school, the administration, the school board, or the individual reviewing the material submitted.
    4. Speech and Manners
      1. There shall be no display of manner or speech that would be, or tend to be, lewd, vulgar, wanton, lascivious, defamatory, promote illegal substance use, or otherwise be materially disruptive to the wholesome educational environment of the school or involve substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others.
      2. The Board of Education herein adopts the full intent of Salt Lake County Ordinance, Chapter 10.32 relating to "Offenses In or About Schools, Colleges, or Universities," as it may apply to printed materials or speech and manners of all individuals that may be within or about the school premises.
      3. Infractions by other than students shall be reported to the proper authorities. Infractions by students may result in suspension from school.